Author: Becca Williams

Match Report: Deacons away to Gillingham Anchorians 2’s

Posted on | by Becca Williams

Deacons away to Gillingham Anchorians 2’s

Grit, graft and determination pave the way.

Another revised Deacons outfit lined up against a very different Anchorians team from the fixture played at the MTG. Anchorians brought out some young talent with a number of colts enjoying their first taste of senior rugby. With Zingari’s fixture cancelled we picked up some youth and wisdom to bolster the squad & once again featured a Father/Son combo. Finally, after years of ‘weighting’ 😉 Jez & Piers Weigh took the field together.

Buoyed by a full bench, the sun shining and knowing we had been improving with every game confidence was high amongst the Deacons & receiving the kick off the game was on!

Intent was clear from the off with some strong carries into contact. Anchorians were strong at the breakdown and competition for the ball was fierce.
The first scrum was intense with the City boys unable to capitalise on what has been a strong area of the game all season. Fortunately with some quick analysis from Alasdair Kite and smart changes across the back row it didn’t take long to fix the set piece.

Once again it took the Deacons some time to settle. The first 30 was tense. Anchorians had much of the ball meaning we had to defend hard for long periods of time. As hard as we tried it was difficult to keep the home side at bay & we went 2 tries behind. The wind was in our favour and neither were converted, the kicker choosing to aim for an entirely different pitch on both occasions.

When we did have the ball we looked dangerous. With Rob Horan acting at 10 (our infamous Dan Head suffered an ouchy ruling him out) combining with the centre partnership of Canterbury stalwart Jake Upward and incredible developing talent Ed ‘the excorcet’ Exley we looked really sharp on attack.
With the backline being marshalled by Piers Weigh playing out of position at fullback, it was clear we would get across the line if we could maintain possession and after a period of pressure built through the forwards we celebrated Jake Upward steaming across the try line setting up an easy conversion for Rob.
At 10-7 we could get back in this game…..

Once again we received the kick off with some purpose, setting a platform to work forward from. Things were starting to click with forwards working together to move the ball into space & release the backs.
It was off the back of some fast hands from Dylan Coyle (9) hitting no8 Ethan Tighe working his way through a couple of tackles and keeping his feet before offloading the sweetest of passes to the Deacons hooker running a ‘world class hard line’ beating a tackle and leaving only 25m between him and the try line before the referee called them back for an infringement from some time before – we all agreed that was a monumental turning point in the game.

Deacons scrum set a platform allowing Jake to once again cross the line for a sympathetic conversation and we went up 10-14.
We’d waited a lot of match minutes to be ahead, but the lead didn’t last long, Anchorians taking the opportunity to capitalise on our lapse of concentration to once again take the lead.

But with the wind in our sails the Deacons continued to apply pressure in all areas of the park before a loose ball and some fantastic handling skills saw Joseph Butler-Moor dot the ball down to increase our lead in only his second game this season.

Going into the half time Haribo we were up on points and ambition, the second half was gearing up to be a real battle if we wanted to maintain the lead and win the game.

Restarting with some half time changes Deacons drew first blood. Brad Nicholson powering over the line like a beautiful balletic bear.
For the forwards, Ronnie West thrived under the pressure of stiff competition from his oppo in the front row, Alex Acaster moved selflessly to second row allowing Carter Jefferys to thrive on the flank – moving at such a pace off the scrum to effectively shut down any momentum from their 9. Ethan Mussel on the other flank had a phonomenal game, tackling with power and precision and being a nuisance at the breakdown; and Lennie West’s guest appearance for 7 minutes gave us all a boost because he’s got a wonderful demeanour that lifts us all.

The rest of the game was an arm wrestle. Jez Weigh came on for some of the textbook shithousery he’s been known for for years. Gillingham scored again to narrow the scores.
Dylan Coyle took a moment off from moaning & whinging to score a try (we’re all still waiting for another drop goal attempt) which bought us some breathing space.
Once again, Gills came back at us going back ahead. Any mistake from either side would result in points – it was tense.

But cometh the hour – cometh the men. In a blistering attack combining forwards and backs, some slick passing and watching through our fingers, the ball ended up with young Jorge who has been learning his craft with us quietly over a couple of seasons. He also understood he was going to come up short and fizzed a pass that none of us knew he had in him to Callum Townsend (returning from a horror injury earlier in the season) to score under the posts so Rob could slot the extras.

Up by 4 points. With less than 2 to play!
There was nothing else to be done. Get the ball back and finish the game.
We did so, the ball finding its way back to DC to kick it to touch with the nonchalance of another fine 9, DC formerly of Quins.

We’d done it.
Beaten our fellow league foundation team with a really great, close, good natured, well contended game of rugby.
Thanks Anchorians.
But it was just a rehearsal for next week’s big game against Folkestone 2’s – at home at 3pm.

MOTM – Alasdair Kite – silent but deadly, floating like a butterfly, stinging like a Bee. He was everywhere in defence and a menace in attack.

It’s the twilight of our season, with a couple of games to win to finish strong. There’s still time to get involved as a player, or a supporter. Come and be a part of the Deacons family community rugby with us. #oneclub

Canterbury Dig Deep to Secure 15–10 Win Over Portsmouth Valkyries

Posted on | by Becca Williams

Canterbury dig deep to secure 15–10 win over Portsmouth Valkyries

Written by Amber Waitimas

Canterbury travelled to face Portsmouth Valkyries and came away with a hard-fought 15–10 victory in testing conditions. A combination of long travel, limited recent match time, hard ground, heat, and a persistent wind made for a challenging afternoon, but Canterbury showed resilience and determination to secure the win.
The opening exchanges saw Portsmouth apply early pressure, and they were first to get points on the board after forcing a penalty inside Canterbury’s 22. Opting to take the points, Portsmouth slotted the penalty to take an early lead.
Canterbury responded well, with scrum-half Ella Jenkins spotting a gap around the breakdown and breaking the line cleanly. She offloaded to El Crowe, who powered over the try line to score Canterbury’s first try of the match and shift momentum.
Portsmouth struck back with their first try following a sustained period of pressure. A series of pick-and-go phases under the posts allowed them to cross the line, and with a straightforward conversion, they regained the lead.
Canterbury had an opportunity to respond shortly after when a Portsmouth penalty provided field position. Robyn Gulley, stepping up at fly-half, opted to take the points, but the kick was unfortunately pushed off target with the assistance of the wind.
Despite some attacking promise, Canterbury continued to struggle with accuracy beyond the second phase. However, their set-piece dominance, particularly in the scrum, provided a strong platform throughout, thanks to the efforts of Lizzie Deverson, Rosie Payne, Alex Mills, Amber Waitimas, and Emma Alleyne.
Defensively, Canterbury were resolute. Hannah Sandeman was outstanding in midfield, repeatedly denying Portsmouth’s centres the gain line, while the back three, including Lola Yuille-Clough, impressive on her first outing at fullback, dealt confidently with both attacking threats and the difficult conditions. On the wing, Alice Hayward delivered a flawless defensive display, earning Back of the Match with a series of dominant one-on-one tackles.
The forwards continued to put in a tireless shift, with El Crowe consistently breaking the gain line and putting Portsmouth on the back foot. Captain Lucy Relf then added Canterbury’s second try, picking up the ball from a pick and go on the try line and taking it on the blindside to score.
In the closing stages, Rachel Betteridge made a huge impact off the bench, bringing physicality with big carries, tackles, and scrummaging effort, earning Forward of the Match honours.
The decisive moment came in the final ten minutes, when El Crowe crossed for her second try of the game, extending Canterbury’s lead. From there, Canterbury managed the game intelligently, maintaining possession and controlling territory to prevent Portsmouth from mounting a final comeback.
Credit must go to Portsmouth Valkyries, who delivered a determined and competitive performance throughout and never let the game slip away easily.
While not at their clinical best, Canterbury showed grit, adaptability, and strong defensive organisation to secure the result, proving that even on tough days, they have the ability to dig deep and get the job done.

A Proud Moment for the Club: Father and Son Take the Field Together

Posted on | by Becca Williams

This past Saturday marked a truly special occasion for the club. In our Deacons’ fixture against Gillingham Anchorians, we witnessed father and son duo, Piers and Jerome, line up side by side, and help secure a fantastic win for the team.

Their appearance together isn’t just a one‑off highlight; it’s another addition to the long list of family pairings who’ve proudly worn the Black and Amber throughout our history. These moments reflect the heart of our club: community, legacy, and generations united through rugby.

Piers is a recent graduate of our Minis and Youth section, a testament to the strength of our player pathway and development programme. Jerome, meanwhile, is an ever‑present supporter, long‑standing club player, and our current Fixtures Secretary, giving back tirelessly both on and off the pitch.

Together, they embody what makes this club special.

Here’s to Piers, Jerome, and all the families who continue to shape the spirit and future of our club.

 

Pictured: Piers and Jerome Weigh

U16 Players Step Up to Represent Ealing Trailfinders Under 17s

Posted on | by Becca Williams

 

We are incredibly proud of three of our Under 16 players who stepped up to represent CHAMP side Ealing Trailfinders Under 17s over the weekend. Fred Hammond, Alfie Allan and Freddie Eastwood-Squire all pulled on the U17 shirt, showing maturity, commitment and quality well beyond their age group.

Despite a tough fixture, away against Glasgow Warriors U17s, the team delivered a competitive performance, eventually losing 52–36 in a high-scoring and entertaining match. The scoreline reflected the attacking intent and resilience shown throughout the game, with our players playing their part at every stage.

A special mention goes to Alfie Allan, who capped off his performance by getting on the scoresheet.

The players showed great attitude, physicality and composure, contributing to the team and demonstrating why they deserve opportunities at the next level.

As a club, we take huge pride in seeing our youth players progress through the pathway and earn representative opportunities. Coach Foz has created a team unrivaled in the Kent and South East area.

Fred, Alfie and Freddie fully embody our values on and off the pitch, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed.

These kinds of experiences are vital in player development.

Representing Ealing Trailfinders Under 17s will help all three players grow, learn and bring extra knowledge and confidence back into our Under 16s environment.

Well done to all three lads on a strong showing at Under 17 level.

Next week sees Ealing Trailfinders Under 17s face another CHAMP side, Coventry, and we hope to see more Canterbury RFC Under 16 representation there, watch this space!

 

Pilgrims Match Report

Posted on | by Becca Williams

Pilgrims 41

Beckenham 22

 

The Pilgrims welcomed Beckenham to the MTG for their final home game of the season knowing that 2 wins from their final 3 games will secure their place in regional 2 for next season.

The reverse fixture was decided when the pilgrims missed the kick at goal with the final play of the game to give Beckenham the victory and the city side were keen to put that right and showed good intent from the first whistle as they attacked down the slope in the 1st half. The pilgrims looked solid in the set piece and that was giving the home backs a good platform to attack with Beckenham’s defence commendable in stopping a number of promising early attacks. The Pilgrims did get on the score sheet after 12 mins when a fine break from returning centre Garry Jones saw Tom Mackenzie in support to power over out wide for a 5-0 lead which was quickly followed by Owain Collins adding a second unconverted score before Beckenham hit back against the run of play to score a converted try, 10-7. HT.

Pilgrims kicked off the second half and instantly added their 3rd score when a loose Beckenham kick was secured by Constant and offloaded to Isaac Devine whose skillful run and offload found Collins who in turn put Bull in space before he found wingman Max Campbell who scored in the corner under pressure to cap a fine score that was converted well from the touchline by Hilton, 17-7. Beckenham looked to hit back and thought they had scored following a missed tackle by the ruck only for fullback Owain Collins to somehow get his body under the Beckenham player to prevent the grounding and force a goal line drop out.

The respite was short lived as Beckenham followed up with a fine break from their powerful number 8 and the Beckenham backs found their way over in the corner, 17-12.

Pilgrims added their bonus point score after good work from the forwards from a 5m penalty saw prop Cam MacMillan power over, 22-12. Max Campbell then added a 2nd following a strong run from Constant into heavy traffic, 29-12.

Beckenham were struggling to deal with pilgrims aggressive defence and an element of niggle started to enter the game. A push on Stan bull following a fine tackle saw him yellow carded after he was deemed to retaliate with a push of his own. Beckenham kicked the penalty to the corner and mauled well allowing them to break off the back and score out wide, 29-17. Pilgrims hit back 5 minutes later when fine interplay between forwards and backs saw pilgrims surge towards the line and only a cynical infringement from Beckenham prevented a score which saw their winger receive a yellow card and see both teams down to 14. Tom Mackenzie powered over from the resulting penalty to extend the lead to 36-17.

Pilgrims then gave away 2 penalties in quick succession that allowed Beckenham easy territory gains with the 2nd being kicked to the corner well. A well worked line out was mauled from 5meters out and the Beckenham scrum half broke off the back to dive over and score their bonus point try. 36-22.

With the clock ticking down the pilgrims added a further try-Man of the match James Everrat carried powerfully and bumped off an attempted tackler to get in behind. The ball was moved wide to Max Campbell and he dived over in the corner to cap a good pilgrims performance and bring the final score to 41-22. Pilgrims know that a win from either of their remaining two fixtures away at Battersea Ironsides on 11th April or Sutton & Epsom on 18th April will see them secure their place in regional 2 next season without the need for a playoff game.

Match Report. 28.03.26 Canterbury 5th v Thanet 3rds

Posted on | by Becca Williams

Match Report. 28.03.26

Canterbury 5th v Thanet 3rds

Canterbury5th 17pts.  Thanet 3rd  17pts.

Canterbury returned to the field after a long-enforced absence due to a series of cancelled fixtures that showed in the opening quarter against their old adversaries Thanet Wanderers. This looked obvious from the start with Thanet dominating most of the territory only some resolute tackling stopped them from being overrun. The Zingari held out until they succumbed  in the twentieth minute after a period of sustained pressure, Thanet worked the ball wide touching down in the corner for an unconverted try. The city side could have broken after a further period of Thanet pressure but they maintained their structure, and after a break into the Thanet half the forwards released the ball to the backs for Elliot Nye breaking the defensive line to go over near the posts, and with Rob Horan’s  conversion to follow to snatch a slender two point  lead taking them into halftime.

 

The second half saw both sides battle for territory with the Zingari forwards beginning to look their old selves until a poor clearance kick gave the Wanderers a free run at the line to squeeze in at the corner taking back the lead. This seemed to have an effect on Canterbury who doubled their efforts  launching a series of attacks that they somehow managed to squander that would have put them out of sight. Instead, their only reward was a penalty converted by Horan levelling the scores. With the game now going into the last minutes the city side were  delt another blow after another poor clearance kick was punished ending in a try near the posts, and this time with a successful conversion. With the game now entering stoppage time the Zingari forwards managed to regain possession launching their backs in one last effort finding that man Elliot Nye who finished it off, and with Rob Horan’s  conversion brought the game to a final exciting, and honourable conclusion

Canons Match Report

Posted on | by Becca Williams

It was disappointment for the Canons, as a young Gravesend side came out winners in a close game at the MTG.

 

Expecting a big, physical opposition, it was all change for Gravesend as they lined up with a team full of graduating colts and youngsters.  Although Canterbury were strong in the tight opening phases, Gravesend quickly used the speed and pace advantage that their young side possessed to break and use the width to score in the corner.   Canterbury regathered, but it was almost a mirror play.  Although Canterbury got back to make a last ditch tackle, the referee deemed for there to have been a deliberate knock on in the covering defence which resulted in a yellow card.  Gravesend kicked from the corner and broke off from the maul to score.   From the kick off, there was a high tackle from Canterbury, resulting in a second yellow card and reducing Canterbury down to 13 players for a period of 9 minutes.  Despite this, the team kept Gravesend out, however in the last play of the half, Gravesend scored again to increase their advantage to 17-0 at the break.

 

After some strong words at half time, and a game plan to utilise the physical advantage that Canterbury had over Gravesend, the home team came out firing.  From a clearing kick, Josh Lamb collected the ball in the Canterbury half and broke through a number of tackles to score under the posts.    Gravesend reacted well, and responded within 5 minutes with a bonus point score of their own.  The home side were not going to roll over, and continued to use their forwards to break down Gravesend.  Scores followed for Ollie Jeffery from a well worked tap and go penalty, and shortly after from Adrian Geddes for the scoreline to read 19-24.  With 10 minutes to play, a fourth Canons try felt like it was on the cards, however poor execution and errors meant that Canterbury were unable to breach the tryline again.  Gravesend looked to end the game with a penalty kick for the posts, but this slid wide and the Canons maintained their losing bonus point.

 

With a break for Easter, the Canons have a tough run in for the end of the season, welcoming 2nd place Tunbridge Wells to the MTG, and visits to 4th place Whitstable and 3rd place Hastings.  Nonetheless, the team will be looking to have a positive end to the season, and cause an upset in these games.

Your May Ball Reminder!

Posted on | by Becca Williams

🎟️Tickets selling fast! Grab yours before they’re gone!

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating another fantastic year for the club. The night promises exceptional entertainment and atmosphere, good news FNKHAUS will be returning, as will the dodgems, and the photo booth, to capture the memories.

 

Guests will enjoy a three-course meal, followed by a raffle and a live auction, making this one of the standout events of the social calendar. It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate with players, alumni, supporters, and friends of the club.

📅 Date: Friday 22nd May 2026

📍 Venue: Canterbury Rugby Club

🎩 Dress code: Black tie

🍽 Dining: Three-course meal

🎶 Entertainment: Live band FNKHAUS and our resident DJ Dixie

🎟 Cost: £80 per person

🪑 Tables: 8–12 guests per table

 

To book your place or reserve a table, please email kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk

 

We look forward to welcoming you for a fantastic evening of celebration.

Kent U20s x Canterbury RFC

Posted on | by Becca Williams

We are incredibly proud to announce that four Canterbury Rugby Club players have been selected – and will all start – for Kent U20s this Sunday. This is a fantastic achievement for both the players and the club, and a clear reflection of the talent coming through at Canterbury.

Canterbury Representation in the Kent U20s Squad are as follows;

  • Alex Smith- starting at prop
  • Aidan Demery- starting at hooker
  • Isaac Divine- starting at openside flanker
  • Brett Smith- starting at inside centre

All four have earned their places through relentless hard work, dedication, and consistent performances in the black and amber. Being named in the starting XV at county level is no small feat, and it speaks volumes about their commitment to developing their game.

Match Details

The Kent U20s will take on Hampshire this Sunday at Ashford Rugby Club, with a 2pm kick-off. We encourage anyone who can make the trip to come along and show their support as our players represent both club and county with pride.

A Moment to Be Proud Of

This selection is a major milestone in each player’s rugby journey and highlights the strength of the Canterbury pathway in preparing players for county honours. Everyone at the club is immensely proud of Alex, Aidan, Isaac and Brett, and we look forward to watching them take this next step.

Best of luck to all four players, Canterbury is right behind you.

Canterbury Hold Off Jersey

Posted on | by Becca Williams

Canterbury Hold Off Jersey in Thrilling 32–27 Home Victory

 

Written by Amber Waitimas

 

Canterbury secured an exciting 32–27 victory at home against Jersey in a closely contested match that showcased the team’s resilience, discipline and attacking flair.

Canterbury started strongly, dominating the early exchanges with good territory and possession.

 

However, mistakes inside Jersey’s 22 allowed the visitors to counter-attack and score against the run of play. Jersey’s quick ball from the back of the ruck and powerful ball carriers continued to test Canterbury’s defence, but determined efforts kept them out on many occasions. Some outstanding tackles from Lily-Inger Philpott (playing her final game before moving to Australia to continue her rugby journey), Inger Philpot and Emma Alleyne highlighted the defensive grit shown throughout the game.

 

Jersey were quick to capitalise when Canterbury’s defensive line became momentarily disorganised, but the home side soon regained their structure and composure, putting into practice the hard work done on the training pitch. Once settled, Canterbury began to find gaps in Jersey’s defence through the pace and agility of Lily-Inger Philpott and El Crowe.

 

Canterbury’s opening try came from a well-executed line-out move straight from the training ground. Clean ball from the set piece allowed the forwards to set the platform before one phase created the opportunity for Lily-Inger Philpott to spot a gap and power over the line.

 

Shortly before Canterbury’s second try, Jersey were shown a yellow card which left them temporarily down to 14 players. The backs were quick to recognise the extra space and capitalised on the advantage, moving the ball well through the line before eventually sending Lola Yuille Clough down the wing to score. Just a few minutes later, Jersey were shown a second yellow card, giving Canterbury a further advantage as the pressure continued to build.

 

Robyn Gulley delivered a standout performance, scoring a hat-trick of tries and converting one of her own scores. Once Canterbury found their rhythm, Gulley controlled the game excellently. Her decision making was key, with well-placed kicks turning Jersey deep into their own half and putting them under pressure to exit. Crucially, her decision to take points from a penalty gave Canterbury the five-point cushion that ultimately secured the win.

 

Across the pitch there were strong individual contributions. Alice Hayward and Lola Yuille Clough were excellent in defence on the wings, shutting down Jersey’s attacks out wide. Lizzie Deverson also impressed with several strong carries and was consistently on hand in support to keep the attack moving.

 

The impact from the bench proved vital, with the replacements bringing fresh energy and momentum at key moments. Mary Trimmer made a real difference when she came on, securing several important turnovers that helped swing momentum back in Canterbury’s favour. Both scrum-halves, Lydia Ticehurst and Lucy Spencer, also controlled the game very well, delivering quick ball from the rucks and keeping the tempo high when it mattered most.

 

The forwards also saw a noticeable improvement at the set piece as the game went on. Fresh legs in the front row and second row made a real impact, with Canterbury’s scrum becoming a much stronger platform in the later stages of the match.

 

From 1 to 22 it was a complete team performance, with every player contributing to the result.

 

As the match drew to a close, Jersey continued to push, but Canterbury held firm. The final play saw a crucial try-saving tackle from Robyn Gulley to seal the victory and secure the win.

 

Credit must also go to Jersey, who fought hard throughout. Their scrum and maul provided a strong platform and their quick ball movement kept Canterbury under pressure until the final whistle.

 

Forward of the Match went to Lizzie Deverson for her powerful carries and tireless work rate, while Robyn Gulley was named Back of the Match after a commanding performance that included a hat-trick and excellent game management.

 

In the end, Canterbury’s composure, teamwork and determination saw them come away with a deserved 32–27 win.

 

L Deverson, I Philpott. C Bernthal, E Rowe, E Alleyne, L Relf (c), L Philpott, E Crowe, L Ticehurst, R Gulley, A Hayward, L Little, E Kent, L Yuille-Clough, E Moriarty (vc) R: M Rhodes, R Betteridge, A Waitimas, M Trimmer, A Scarpulla, L Spencer, T Febrey