Canterbury Falter On Day One

BARNES 26 CANTERBURY 14

by David Haigh

A strong start but a confused ending saw Canterbury falter on this opening day of the new National 2 East season. “That was our best start at Barnes for several seasons said a disappointed Head Coach Matt Corker. “We later went away from the game plan and that was fatal.” You could see why Corker found it so frustrating because the city side played a full part in an untidy but highly competitive game. With five minutes left they were trailing by only one score but over- ambitious play near their own line handed Barnes Number Eight Dan Robertson his fourth try and Canterbury were left without even a losing bonus point. Solid work from the pack put pressure on Barnes in the early stages but it wasn’t until the 25th minute that their defence cracked to a driving maul try by Eoin O’Donoghue, converted by Frank Reynolds. The hosts found momentum in the second quarter, won penalties and, taking their cue from the Canterbury score, the efficiency of their maul gave them a narrow 12-7 lead by halftime with two tries from Robertson and a conversion by Elliot Haydon. The city side were back in front six minutes into the second half. Following an interception and break by flanker Mo Pangarker, a player in outstanding form on his return from long term injury, they drove hard and patiently at the home line until Harry Sloan touched down between the posts and Reynolds again converted. It was their failures in defending the catch and drive that saw that advantage vanish after just two minutes as Robertson and Haydon clocked up another seven points. Barnes now began to dictate territory but if the close quarter mauls had been a problem for the city side the rest of the defending was beyond reproach as they kept the home side at bay, They still had opportunities to attack but runs by Luke Talbot, Will Waddington and Aiden Moss went unrewarded. With Barnes pressing again in the late minutes some wild Canterbury passing gave them that final opportunity and they did not miss out.

Canterbury: L.Talbot, H.Furneaux, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, L.Young, E.O’Donoghue, H.Drane, J.Stephens, C.McGovern, R.Thomas, M.Pangarker, T.Oliver, Replacements: O.Frostick, C.Macmillan, J.De Vries, A.English, A.Moss.