CANTERBURY EASE TO VICTORY

HARPENDEN 7 CANTERBURY 52

by David Haigh

Canterbury cantered to victory in this second pre-season friendly, scoring eight tries and dominating their Regional level rivals from the start. Their overwhelming superiority at the set pieces left Harpenden struggling to get into the game and by half time the city side were thirty three points ahead. The biggest value for a 25 strong squad was to get game time and give experience to some younger players and it was one of them, wing Max Campbell, who claimed the opening try from a Frank Reynolds cross kick. Persistent ran did not dampen Canterbury’s ambition and four more tries before the break were all the result of positive rugby. Reynolds counter attack and Eoin O’Donoghue’s burst brought the first of two touchdowns for centre Frank Morgan. His second was created from a well rehearsed lineout move. Close quarter forward power and a catch and drive were both finished by Number Eight Tyler Oliver. Canterbury rang the changes for a second half that was not as tidy as what had gone before. They failed to put the finishing touches to some good attacking positions but still found three good tries to celebrate. Presley Farrance’s break made one for Aiden Moss and the pace of Garry Jones saw him round off the day with the last two touchdowns. Reynolds, in good form with the boot, landed six conversions, while an out gunned Harpenden broke away to earn a penalty try in the final minute.