Canterbury Pushed All The Way

CANTERBURY 34 LEICESTER LIONS 31

Match report by David Haigh

Late defensive heroics from Canterbury were needed before they inched their way to this narrow National 2 East victory. In the end, the difference between the sides was Owain Collins’ 68th minute penalty goal as bottom of the table Lions pushed the city side all the way. When Canterbury scored two tries in the first nine minutes of the game there were few clues about the battle to come. During that spell the visitors, a side with only one win in the current campaign, leaked penalties and came under heavy pressure. Wing Garry Jones got the first score as the city backs created an overlap; scrum half Presley France sold a beautiful dummy to grab the second which Collins converted for a twelve point lead. If that bred complacency in the city ranks it was soon knocked out of them as the Lions, spurred by a lively back row, roared back and by half time were seven points ahead and had a try bonus point. A clever run by centre Ahren Crowley for a try converted by Max Titchener made the first dent in Canterbury’s confidence and after they lost possession at a lineout Lions drew level with a score from wing Neil Machiels. Their hard carrying pack did the work before they won the lead in the 34th minute with the first of wing Matt Price’s three tries. But, as half time approached, the city side appeared to have limited the damage when Farrance exploited a gap as his pack mauled towards the line and Collins converted. That relief, however, was short lived as a poor handling error let in Price from the last play of the half and Titchener added his third conversion. The bounce came back into the city sides game at the start of the second half and when Lions skipper Ethan Godefroy was yellow carded five minutes in they took full advantage. Space was quickly made for Jones’second touchdown and then a powerful driving maul was completed by centre Will Waddington. Collins conversion nudged his side back into a seven point lead but this game was far from settled. A fitful Canterbury succumbed to Price’s hat trick try, although there were questions about its validity as defenders swarmed over him, and Titchener’s kick made it 31-31. A break by outstanding flanker Ryley Thomas won the territory which led to the decisive Collins penalty goal but it was Lions who were pressing for a winning try in the final frantic minutes.
Not even their late introduction of former England international Tom Varndell from the bench could break Canterbury’s stout resistance.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, G.Roberts, W.Waddington. L.Hollidge, G.Jones, O.Collins, P.Farrance, C.Macmillan, L.Eule, O.Frostick, R.Burden, J.Stephens, G.Trapp, R.Thomas, M.McCormack. Replacements: S.Rogers, D.Huntley, J.De Vries, H.Sloan. M.Campbell.