Canterbury Sign Off the Season in Style with 5–57, 9 Try Victory
Written by Amber Waitimas
Canterbury Women signed off their season in emphatic fashion with a 5-57 victory away at Horsham Ladies, running in nine tries in a dominant, high-tempo performance despite the challenging heat.
Canterbury wasted no time setting the tone. Ella Jenkins opened the scoring with sharp game awareness, taking a quick tap and darting over the line to score behind the posts, before Robyn Gulley added the extras.
Momentum continued to build as Hannah Sandeman powered over for the first of her three tries, quickly followed by her second not long after, with Gulley converting the latter to extend Canterbury’s lead.
Next to cross was El Crowe, finishing well after another strong attacking phase from the forwards. Canterbury’s attacking variety was then on full display, as Gulley spotted space out wide and executed a perfectly weighted cross field kick, which was gathered brilliantly by Teagan Febery to touch down.
Horsham responded with a period of pressure of their own, eventually getting on the scoreboard through a series of pick and go phases from a penalty close to the line.
However, Canterbury quickly regained control. Captain Lucy Relf showed her leadership and awareness with a quick tap and go to cross the line, with Gulley once again adding the conversion.
The forwards continued to dominate in close quarters, with Alex Mills crashing over after another well worked series of pick and go phases. Shortly after, Hannah Sandeman completed her hat trick with another strong finish, capping off an outstanding individual performance.
The final say went to hooker Rosie Payne, who powered over from close range following sustained pressure on the try line, again from a pick and go.
A key feature of the performance was Canterbury’s strong maul play from the lineout, which consistently put Horsham under pressure. The forwards executed lineout moves straight from training onto the field with precision, creating clean ball and launching effective attacking platforms throughout the match.
Across the match, Robyn Gulley was clinical from the tee, successfully converting six of the nine tries, while also controlling the game effectively with her kicking and attacking variation.
Beyond the scorers, it was a complete team effort. Mary Trimmer, named Forward of the Match, was exceptional at the breakdown with key turnovers and strong carries. El Crowe, alongside Hannah Sandeman, consistently punched holes in the defence, while Rachel Betteridge and Monique Beaumont led a determined defensive effort with big tackles in the heat.
From the bench, Emma Alleyne, Inger Philpott, and Monique Beaumont made a real impact, bringing fresh energy and physicality, particularly in defence.
In the backs, Lola Yuille Clough shone with her attacking threat, while Claire Bernthal, Ellie Rowe, Alice Hayward, Layla Little, and Kate Rutherford all contributed to a well rounded and dominant performance.
Captain Lucy Relf led from the front throughout, working tirelessly and driving standards across the pitch, ensuring Canterbury maintained their intensity from start to finish.
A huge thank you goes to the committee for ensuring the season ran so smoothly, and to Mimi Jupe for stepping up into the coaching role, alongside assistant coach Anneka Willis, whose experience as a former Canterbury and Army player has been invaluable.
Recognition must also go to the team’s co-captains, Lucy Relf and Kate Rutherford, who have led the side with commitment and pride throughout the season. Appreciation also goes to those who stepped up to captain the team on other occasions, Emily Moriarty, Robyn Gulley, and Claire Bernthal, all of whom did so brilliantly and helped drive standards on the pitch.
A special thank you to our dedicated photographers, Ken Matcham, who never misses a home fixture, and Ellie Desborough, who both have captured so many moments the team will look back on fondly.
Our thanks also go to the club for their continued support, and to Scrum Kitchen for keeping the team fuelled throughout the season. Most importantly, thank you to our supporters who are always there on the sideline, your energy and encouragement never go unnoticed, and to our youth section, whose chants of Canterbury continue to inspire. We hope to see many of you pulling on your boots and joining the senior women’s team in the years to come.
With great support on the touchline adding to the summer atmosphere, this commanding 5-57 victory built on nine tries marks the perfect end to the season.
Canterbury now look ahead to a summer of touch rugby and sevens as they build towards an exciting and competitive 2026/27 campaign.
