Author: Becca Williams

Old Reigatians 22
Pilgrims 39

The Pilgrims travelled away to Surrey based old Reigatians for the first time on Saturday, looking to build on their first win of the season last time out against Dartfordians.
The city side started brightly and took the lead from a Collins penalty goal after a matter minutes after Old R’s struggled to deal with Pilgrims’ speed and intentionally slowed down at a ruck. 0-3.
Owain Collins- who had a strong all round game, then turned provider as his strong run and pass set debutant winger Owen Hewett over for the first of his 4 try’s. 0-8.
Old R’s responded well and showed they would be a threat with ball in hand, moving the ball well and exploiting space out wide to score in the corner. 5-8.
Pilgrims then allowed Old R’s to level after Prop Harry Drane was penalised for a tip tackle in front of the posts which was easily converted. 8-8.
The pilgrims then started to click into gear as forwards and backs moved the ball seamlessly through the phases. Aiden Moss’ classy line break saw him glide into the back field and unselfishly pass to the supporting Hewett who dotted his 2nd under the posts making the conversion a formality. 8-15.
A great break by Gus Lister saw him beat a number of defenders before being stopped short of the line, half backs Valladares and Hilton moved the ball quickly and put the supporting Hewett in for a debut hattrick, 8-22.
The backs rewarded the forwards hard work with some exceptional handling sending The impressive Hewett over in the corner for his 4th, securing a try bonus point in the process. 8-27.
The city side added a fifth on the stroke of half time, another impressive break by Lister saw him pop to wing man Archie English to dot down and bring Pilgrims best half of rugby so far this season to a close. 8-32.
Old Reigatians could have thrown in the towel at this point, but they started the 2nd half strongly and showed they would still pose a threat if Pilgrims took their foot off the gas.
A missed tackle in midfield allowed them to get in behind the pilgrims defence and good support play saw them score under the posts to make it 15-32.
If the first half showcased their attacking abilities, the 2nd showed they were able to absorb long periods of pressure as Old R’s looked to get back in the game, helped by pilgrims own indiscipline at times.
The Pilgrims weee struggling with the inconsistent management of the game and these frustrations saw Valladares yellow carded for back chat to the referee. Pilgrims defence remained resolute and after a lineout was well won by the forwards, Hilton’s wide pass sent No. 8 Al Evans through a gap in midfield and he drew the fullback and put Ed Thompson in the clear to run in for a score his recent performances have deserved to take the score to 15-39. Shortly afterwards Hewett was also sent to the sin bin to reduce the Pilgrims to 13. Old Reigatians took advantage of their 2 man advantage to add their third try of the afternoon as the clocked ticked down to make the final score 22-39 and secure the Pilgrims a well deserved bonus point win on the road. A week off next weekend sees the Pilgrims return to action the following Saturday at the MTG against Old Colfeians.

Match Report: Canterbury Women’s XV vs Beckenham 1XV

Papa Johns Community Cup
Final Score: Canterbury 17 – 15 Beckenham

By Amber Waitimas

Canterbury Women’s XV kicked off their Papa Johns Community Cup campaign in thrilling fashion with a hard-fought 17–15 victory over a strong Beckenham 1XV side.

From the opening whistle, both teams showed real intent, and it was Beckenham who struck first, crossing the try line to take an early lead. But Canterbury responded in style, as a jackaled ball and quick pop pass saw Kate Rutherford (#10) burst over the line for the home side’s opening try, before confidently converting her own score to level things up.

From there, Canterbury demonstrated composure and control through standout performances across the park. The back row trio of Lucy Relf, Lily Philpott, and El Crowe worked beautifully in tandem, showing a dynamic mix of power, pace, and relentless tackling that kept Beckenham under pressure all game.

Emma Alleye (#4) led from the front, setting the tone with her trademark big hits and commanding the forward pack superbly. She was deservedly named Forward of the Match for her tireless work and leadership.

In attack, the props, Lizzie Deverson and Alex Mills, were relentless, making a series of strong, powerful carries that gained valuable territory and set the platform for Canterbury’s next scores. Their dominance at the scrum and work rate around the park gave the side real momentum.

El Crowe (#13) added her name to the scoresheet in the second half, showing great pace and determination to cross the line and extend Canterbury’s advantage.

The backs continued to impress, combining sharp handling with confident decision-making to keep Beckenham on the back foot and open up attacking opportunities across the field.

Later in the half, Kate Rutherford crossed for her second try of the day, the result of a patient and well-executed series of pick-and-go phases from the forwards right on the try line.

Defensively, Canterbury showed huge determination and resilience, holding up two Beckenham tries and keeping their composure under sustained pressure. Emily Kent and Lola Yuille-Clough stood out in the backs, showing excellent communication and control to organise the defensive line at key moments.

Debutant Lydia Ticehurst (#22) made an immediate impact off the bench, bringing fresh energy at scrum-half and earning Back of the Match honours for her sharp decision-making and quick ball distribution in the closing stages.

A gritty and well-earned win for Canterbury, built on teamwork, discipline, and belief – a strong start to their Papa Johns Community Cup journey.

Final Score:
Canterb

ury Women’s XV – 17

Beckenham 1XV – 15

Canterbury’s next home fixture is on Sunday, 9th November, when they take on Hove Women’s XV. As always, all supporters are very welcome to come down and cheer the team on!

Canterbury Rugby Club is set to host another mouthwatering pre-match lunch on Saturday, 8th November 2025, courtesy of the ever popular Scrum Kitchen. The event promises a perfect blend of hearty food and grassroots rugby, as supporters gather in the clubhouse ahead of the Pilgrims’ clash with Old Colfeians.

Drinks from 1:00 PM, followed by a two-course lunch served at 1:30 PM. The menu features a classic French Onion Soup topped with a Gruyere Crouton to start, and a comforting main of Slow Cooked Beef Bourguignon accompanied by creamy Horseradish Mash. Priced at £15 per head, the lunch offers excellent value and a warm, communal atmosphere.

Kickoff for the Pilgrims vs Old Colfeians match is scheduled for 2:30 PM, giving attendees plenty of time to enjoy the meal and settle in for an afternoon of competitive rugby.

Don’t wait now, get booked in! Email Lou scrumkitchen@cantrugby.co.uk

Closing date for bookings 10pm on Monday 3^rd November 2025

By Tom Short

The Canons had their first win of the league season, beating old foes Old Williamsonians 31-22 at the MTG.

With both teams searching for a first win of the season, and Old Wills being the only team to beat the Canons last year, it was going to be an intense game from the start.  The Canons started brightly with strong carrying from the forwards, however fell behind to an early penalty following some ill-discipline.  The Canons recovered well from the kick off, and after winning penalties of their own worked their way up field.  After some good pressure on the OWs try line, Lennie West crashed over from short range to give the Canons their first try of the afternoon.  The game was in a period of stalemate, before Old Wills scored their first try after a good line from their outside centre wrong footed the Canons defence.  The Old Wills lead was short lived, with almost an exact replica of the first try leading to West scoring his second.  Old Wills had the last laugh of the half however, with their centre again breaking tackles to score his second and restore the visitors lead.

The Old Wills momentum followed at the start of the second half after some scrappy play, from which they hacked through and dotted down to take a 10 point lead.  The Canons reacted, and after some good phase play and strong carries, the powerful Terrel Thomas trundled over from short range.  With fire in their bellies, the Canons began to dominate and grabbed the next score to retake the lead, with Ollie Jeffery scoring the bonus point try.  This was quickly followed by a breakaway try for Will Rayner to give the Canons some breathing space which they held until the end of the game, denying Old Wills any league points from the fixture.

Now off the mark, the Canons have a break in fixtures but will look to carry on their winning ways against New Ash Green on 8^th November and continue to climb the Counties 3 table.

Pilgrims 26
Dartfordians 17

Pilgrims steady improvement coupled with the return of some experienced players ensured they secured a deserved first league win of the season against a competitive Dartfordians side. Dartfordians were quick out of the blocks as they looked to put the pilgrims under pressure from the outset with their offload game looking to stress the home defence.

The pilgrims were absorbing pressure well and exploited a wayward Dartfordians pass as last seasons top scorer Gus Lister- making his first appearance of the season- intercepted and raced away to score under the posts making Collins’ conversion a formality. 7-0.

Dartfordians hit back shortly after, breaking through tackles out wide to score an unconverted try in the corner. 7-5. Pilgrims had clear scrum superiority and used 2 penalty opportunities awarded at scrum time to extend the lead to 13-5 despite a yellow card to prop Harry Drane, before Dartfordians narrowed the deficit to just a point with a converted try on the stroke of Half time as they exploited their numerical advantage after winger Archie English was given 10 mins in the sin bin for a tip tackle and a 2nd yellow card of the half. 13-12.

Dartfordians made their numbers and the slope count as they took the lead within moments of the restart, moving the ball wide well to score in the corner. 13-17.

The remainder of the half saw the Pilgrims side start dominate the game with the strong runs of 8th man Mo Pangarker getting them on the front foot. The scrum was dominant and another penalty was added by Collins to reduce the arrears to 16-17 before an excellent break by him saw him burst through the middle, he showed great skill to offload behind his back to the supporting Lister who raced away to score under the posts and deservedly put the Pilgrims back in front. 23-17.
With the clock ticking down, another penalty was won by the forwards which allowed Collins a shot at goal to deny Dartfordians a bonus point which he stepped up and slotted to give the Pilgrims a well earned first league win, 26-17.

Team: MacMillan, Bull, Drane, Nicholson, Gill, Hunt (C), Devine, Pangarker, Valladares, Parker, Thompson, Hilton, Lister, Masaka, Collins, Everatt, Oliver, English.

Canterbury Rugby Club is bursting with pride as former Canterbury Women and University of Kent standout Jemma takes another monumental step in her rugby journey, earning selection for the England Rugby Women’s Pathway Backs Positional Camp for the 2025/26 season.

A familiar face in black and amber, Jemma-Jo  lit up the pitch for several seasons with her exceptional talent, tenacity, and leadership. Whether carving up defences or inspiring teammates, she left an indelible mark on both Canterbury Women and the University of Kent sides, embodying the spirit and skill that define our club.

Her rise through the ranks has been nothing short of inspiring. Just last weekend, she lifted the PWR Cup for the second consecutive year a testament to her consistency and elite performance at the highest level of domestic rugby. Now, she joins a select group of athletes at the England Rugby Women’s Pathway Camp, where she’ll train alongside the country’s top emerging backs, sharpening her skills and pushing toward future international honours.

The Pathway programme is designed to identify and nurture England’s next generation of Red Roses, and Jemma’s inclusion is a powerful recognition of her hard work, resilience, and outstanding form.
We couldn’t be prouder to see one of our own stepping into this exciting new chapter. From her early days in Canterbury colours to national recognition, Jemma continues to inspire players across our club and beyond.

Congratulations, Jemma your black and amber family is cheering you on every step of the way!

We’re sending a huge congratulations to former Canterbury Rugby player Jemma- Jo Linkins, who lifted the PWR Cup on Saturday with Saracens Women for a second year in a row!

Jemma’s journey from local standout to professional powerhouse has been nothing short of inspiring. During her time with Canterbury, she was a force to be reckoned with, earning the title of Top Try Scorer two years running before being signed by Saracens Women.
Her latest triumph is a testament to her talent, dedication, and relentless drive. We couldn’t be prouder to see one of our own making waves on the national stage.

Well done, Jemma you continue to inspire us all! 💪

By Pete. Age 44 1/2.

Determined Deacons fall short after Maidstone’s fast start.

From the off it was clear it would be a tough day at the office with Maidstone fielding a strong youthful team. The visitors started with a period of sustained attack eventually scoring in the first quarter. The pace of play was incredible as Maidstone stretched a dogged defence.Inevitability they went ahead if the home side with a couple of quick tries.

The Deacons once again put out a team blending CCCU students with regular players and some faithful Zingari warriors stepping up to help out. As always it took a period of time for the home side to settle in & the defence continued to be stretched by a Maidstone team with a number of big runners and quick wingers.

That light was snuffed out in the fullness of time with Maidstone proving to be too strong on defence when Canterbury had the ball. No doubt we left some points on the pitch but against a strong 2nd team whose average age was lower than most of my socks we were beaten.
Dan Head once again proved to be excellent at 10, appearances from the reviled Si Crossly & some strong running from Jake Price were fantastic to see, as was our scrum, Maidstone using every prop on their bench to try and thwart the Canterbury scrum.

We came 2nd.

Never knowingly beaten the Deacons struck back before half time keeping hopes alive.

POTM – Ash the Flash