Author: Denys Andrianjafy

CANTERBURY 3pts OLD ALBANIAN 12pts

by David Haigh

Having worked themselves into a decent position, with a solid first half shift, Canterbury let this first game of the new year drift away. A failure to back up all their good work against the rain and wind was dispiriting and reinforced the feeling that they are not an effective wet weather side. The visitors, whose 7-3 interval lead had looked fragile, took control of the second half and on a day when points were always difficult to come by found the score that mattered. It was in similar conditions earlier this season that the city club failed to register a point against Dings Crusaders. This time they managed a solitary penalty goal from Tom Best, despite dominating territory for much of the first half, winning the breakdown battle and forcing Albanians into conceding a string of penalties. Canterbury lost their slim lead after 28 minutes when a wind-driven Albanians kick led to a goal-line dropout. Centre Alex Brown collected it and his powerful run into the heart of the defence created the pressure for a try from Number Eight Chris West, converted by Greg Lound. Late in the half the city side resisted more heavy pressure and must have headed for the break the happier of the two teams. Any optimism, however, was misplaced as Albanians, prompted by scrum half Elliot McPhun, read the situation perfectly, controlled possession, kicked shrewdly and took their opportunity when it arose. McPhun’s quick tapped penalty had Canterbury backpedalling and wing Alex Noot was released for a sprint finish. It left Canterbury with 25 minutes to take a grip but they were rarely allowed to build momentum. In the whole of the half they created no more than two scoring positions and missed out on both of them. Left to chase the game they became increasingly ragged and out of tune with the no-frills rugby the conditions demanded.

Canterbury: A.Moss (repl F.Reynolds), S.Sterling, W.Waddington, T.Best, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds (repl K.Braithwaite), T.Williams (repl B.Cooper), B.Young (repl W.McColl), W.McColl (repl A.Cooper) A.Cooper (repl A.Evans) , R.Cadman, S.Churchyard (repl J.De Vries), J.Stephens, T.King, T.Oliver

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Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

CANTERBURY 29pts  GUERNSEY 17pts

Canterbury gave the Christmas crowd just the present they wanted with this five try, bonus point victory. In a performance that shone through the heavy mist shrouding Merton Lane they tamed a lively Guernsey side with a dominant second half display.

There was quality as well a quantity from the city club as they ran in three tries after the interval, two of them scored while playing short handed with Kyan Braithwaite in the sin bin.

A confident back division made light work of that handicap, rewarding the turn over expertise of a combative pack handsomely. The foundations were laid in a shrewd first half display as Canterbury shrugged off a Guernsey try from wing Anthony Armstrong, converted by Dan Rice, and edged in front before the break. Frank Reynolds charge down try came after sustained pressure, Braithwaite converted, and in the last minute of the half they went ahead. The versatile Tristan King, this week starting as a flanker, made a decisive break. When the ball was recycled he was on the end of good handling to make the touchdown. A Canterbury weakness this season has been the failure to capitalise on half time leads; they did not make that mistake this time. Playing with real purpose they forged further ahead after 55 minutes. Replacements Will Waddington, making the break, and Ben Cooper combined for Cooper’s try which left Braithwaite a simple conversion. The moment that might have derailed them came with the yellow card as Guernsey hammered at the Canterbury line. That sparked a fierce response as a great turnover set the backs free, Dwayne Corcoran chipped over the last defender and Aiden Moss won the race for the touchdown.

Guernsey hit back quickly through fly half Owen Thomas, to narrow the gap to twelve points, but classy handling saw Corcoran kill their slim hopes as he skewered them for a fifth try. Consolation of sorts went to Guernsey with a last minute score from Number Eight Doug Horrocks, but the result was beyond doubt by that time.

Canterbury: A.Moss, G.Hilton, F.Morgan, K.Braithwaite, D.Corcoran, F.Reynolds (repl T.Best), T.Williams (repl B.Cooper), B.Young, (rep R.Conlon), W.McColl, (repl W.Waddington), D.Herriott, R.Cadman, J.De Vries, J.Stephenson (repl V.Meredith), T.King, T.Oliver

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Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton