Match Report: Canterbury 19 Tonbridge Juddians 22

This was another promising performance from the Canterbury squad as the club builds towards the start of the National 2 East season next month.

Only a late try from National One new boys Juddians, denied the City side a victory that their hard work deserved. They suffered nothing in comparison to a team that has bolstered by heavyweight signings and in most areas were every but their equals.

At half-time they led 19-10 through tries from scrum-half Presley Farrance, full-back Luke Talbot scoring against his old club and Number Eight Tyler Oliver.

Farrance scored after eight minutes with a razor-sharp interception, Talbot put in a lovely individual break after fielding a clearance kick, while Oliver put the finish to a series of pick and goes by the Canterbury pack. Frank Reynolds converted two of the scores whilst the TJs kicker was off target with both of his side’s touchdowns.

The visitors third try came in the 55th minute and although they enjoyed a slightly better share of the possession, they could not crack the Canterbury defence again. It was a scrum error that cost the City side the game as they lost the ball three minutes from time and the visitors made it count with their fourth touchdown, this one converted.

Canterbury complete their pre-season programme on Friday evening with a visit to National One neighbours Blackheath (KO 8pm) while the Pilgrims meet Deal & Betteshanger at the Marine Travel Ground (KO 7.30pm)

Luke Talbot

LAST MINUTE LOSS

ESHER 31 CANTERBURY 24

by David Haigh

A last minute try gave Esher the final word in this competitive pre-season friendly but Canterbury Head Coach Matt Corker could take plenty of positives from the performance of his senior squad. The downside was a facial injury to unlucky wing Alfie Orris who was in powerful form as the city side took control of the early stages and built a twelve point lead. The coaching panel said they will be asking the team to play with real pace this season, and they were as good as their word as the starting lineup put width on their game from the kick-off. It was rewarded by a third minute try from new signing Luke Talbot but the second score came from another area of strength – a pack which quickly stamped its authority on the set pieces and carried hard. They forced a penalty, set up a catch and drive which was finished by hooker Eoin O’Donoghue and converted by Frank Reynolds. Esher has seen little of the ball up to that point but when they finally got the chance they took it smartly with a try and by half time had drawn level through a converted score. With both sides making changes to give all their squads a first outing the second half lacked the fluency of the first 40 minutes but the contest remained tight. Canterbury grabbed an early try as they built pressure and centre Frank Morgan’s strength took him over the line and Reynolds was again on target. Esher came back with an unconverted try, but it was the final quarter that shifted the balance in their favour. A much changed city pack came under pressure and Esher took the lead for the first time with a converted catch and drive score. A similar effort from Canterbury’s new boy, Ryley Thomas, leveled matters at 24-24, and that seemed a fair reflection of the game. However, penalties were given away and Esher forward power won it with the last move.

PRE-SEASON CHALLENGE

The club starta a run of three tough pre-season fixtures on Saturday with a visit to Esher (kick-off 1pm) as they build towards the new National 2 East campaign. They will then take on National One sides Tonbridge Juddians (home) and Blackheath (away) in Friday evening fixtures. Matt Corker’s squad is set to include up to eight new signings, the latest being being former Hartpury College and Ampthill back three player Archie English and Essex Under 20 back rower Ryley Thomas. “With the retirement of experienced players like Tom Best, Danny Herriott and Aaron Cooper we have have been recruiting wisely” says the club’s Director of Rugby Taff Gwilliam. “We are integrating these new players with some exciting young talents from our Youth section who are now ready to step up to senior rugby. Archie English is a product of the Deal & Betteshanger club so for him the move is a homecoming to East Kent while Ryley joins us from the Westcliff club. I am also pleased that we have formed strong links with Saracens Academy and will be helping to develop players like England Under 19 lock Charlie Barker and prop Lewis Young, who are both Kent boys.”

Head Coach Matt Corker says: “And the games are back again. Our first block of pre-season was full of the usual blood, sweat and tears but I have been really impressed with the players level of work. My challenge to them has been to find out how fast we can play. If we are going to play fast, we have to move fast, hence all the running they have been doing! The players have taken this to a new level, and it has given us a great platform to launch into the preseason games.

“The main focus of our pre-season games is for us to learn about ourselves and we can’t do this without playing opposition that will challenge us. I feel fortunate that we have been able to organise such competitive fixtures. In previous pre-seasons we haven’t had three strong games and this season all the teams we play are either coming down from, are going up to or are in Nat 1. This is going to give a great opportunity to test ourselves as we prepare for two big opening fixtures. On the 6th September the first team are away to last season’s league runners up Barnes and the Pilgrims tackle their first ever Regional 2 South East fixture at home to Battersea Ironsides.

We have a big three weeks ahead, I’m looking forward to learning where we are.”

Fresh Faces, Fierce Ambitions

We’re thrilled to announce the latest addition to our rugby family as we continue building momentum ahead of preseason. With the new season on the horizon, our squad is growing stronger, deeper, and more determined than ever.

We welcome the following to the Marine Travel Ground:

  • Luke Talbot-Centre<, Harry Drane, tight head prop
  • Lewis Young, loosehead Prop
  • Charlie Barker, lock, Carter Oliver, loosehead Prop
  • Ryley Thomas, Back Row
  • Archie English, Wing

Our signings brings fresh energy, talent, and experience to the team, adding another layer of depth to an already dynamic group. From the first training session, they’ve hit the ground running, slotting in seamlessly with our current players and embracing the club culture with enthusiasm. It’s been brilliant to see how quickly the new lads have gelled with the squad. There’s a real buzz around training, and everyone’s pushing each other to be better.

With preseason fixtures just around the corner, we’re excited to see how this evolving squad performs on the pitch. The hunger is there. The chemistry is building. And the belief is stronger than ever.

 

26 fixtures announced – new faces, fresh challenges await the 1st XV

The wait is over – the 2025/26 men’s 1st XV fixtures have been confirmed, and there’s plenty to look forward to as we gear up for another National 2 East campaign.

This season sees two new sides entering the league following promotion from Regional One:

  • London Welsh, a famous name with rich rugby heritage, return to the national leagues with momentum.

  • Oundle RFC, based in Peterborough, also make the step up and will be an exciting new test for our squad.

They replace Colchester and Worthing, who drop down following relegation.

Also back in the mix are Esher, returning to National 2 East after relegation from National One. They’ll be looking to bounce back quickly and add further quality to what’s already shaping up to be a competitive league.

With new opposition, familiar foes, and the Black & Amber faithful behind us, 2025/26 promises another season full of passion, purpose, and pride.

Matt Corker, Head Coach shares:

The players are all working hard in the gym, and with the release of the fixtures, we now have our first game to focus on — and what a fixture it is. Barnes away has always been a tough challenge, and it will provide a great test for us at the end of preseason, kicking off what promises to be an exciting first month. Having our two biggest local derbies as our first two home games means that September at the Marine Travel Ground is set to be one to remember.

The squad will spend two more weeks focused on gym work before returning to the pitch in the final week of June. Everyone is eager to get back out there and start building on the momentum we created at the end of last season.

We know exactly what this group is capable of, and we’ll be using every session this preseason to prepare thoroughly and push ourselves to the next level.

2025/26 National 2 East fixtures

Round 1 – 06 September 2025
Barnes v Canterbury – Away

Round 2 – 13 September 2025
Canterbury v Sevenoaks – Home

Round 3 – 20 September 2025
Henley v Canterbury – Away

Round 4 – 27 September 2025
Canterbury v Westcombe Park – Home

Round 5 – 04 October 2025
Dorking v Canterbury – Away

Round 6 – 11 October 2025
Canterbury v Havant – Home

Round 7 – 18 October 2025
Old Albanian v Canterbury – Away

Round 8 – 25 October 2025
Canterbury v Bury St Edmunds – Home

Round 9 – 08 November 2025
Oundle v Canterbury – Away

Round 10 – 15 November 2025
Canterbury v London Welsh – Home

Round 11 – 22 November 2025
Oxford Harlequins v Canterbury – Away

Round 12 – 06 December 2025
Canterbury v Guernsey – Home

Round 13 – 13 December 2025
Esher v Canterbury – Away

Round 14 – 20 December 2025
Sevenoaks v Canterbury – Away

Round 15 – 10 January 2026
Canterbury v Henley – Home

Round 16 – 17 January 2026
Westcombe Park v Canterbury – Away

Round 17 – 24 January 2026
Canterbury v Dorking – Home

Round 18 – 31 January 2026
Havant v Canterbury – Away

Round 19 – 14 February 2026
Canterbury v Old Albanian – Home

Round 20 – 21 February 2026
Bury St Edmunds v Canterbury – Away

Round 21 – 28 February 2026
Canterbury v Oundle – Home

Round 22 – 14 March 2026
London Welsh v Canterbury – Away

Round 23 – 21 March 2026
Canterbury v Oxford Harlequins – Home

Round 24 – 11 April 2026
Guernsey v Canterbury – Away

Round 25 – 18 April 2026
Canterbury v Esher – Home

Round 26 – 25 April 2026
Canterbury v Barnes – Home

Round 22 – 14 March 2026

London Welsh v Canterbury

Round 23 – 21 March 2026
Canterbury v Oxford Harlequins

Round 24 – 11 April 2026
Guernsey v Canterbury

Round 25 – 18 April 2026
Canterbury v Esher

Round 26 – 25 April 2026
Canterbury v Barnes

It’s shaping up to be another blockbuster season of Black & Amber rugby. Fixture posters and key dates will be available soon to download or collect from the club.

Get the scarf, bring the noise, and mark your calendars – we’ll see you on the touchline!

#GetBehindUs

Harry Drane joins from Pontypool

Summer signings

The club has announced six new additions to the senior squad for the 2025/26 season. They include four prop forwards, one second row player and a centre/fly half. The front row recruits are headed by Harry Drane, from Welsh Super League side Pontypool, and he is joined by Dutch Under 20 international Maik Timmerman, Westcombe Park; Lewis Young, Saracens Academy and Carter Oliver, from Brighton. There will be fresh faces also in second row player Charlie Barker (Saracens Academy and England Under 19s} and utility back Luke Talbot, from Tonbridge Juddians, who is currently playing a leading role for Kent in their bid to win a third consecutive County championship title. Charlie and Lewis will join on season-long loans from Saracens.

Also on board is promising wing Harry Dean and the squad will be further boosted by the return of three long term injury victims, flanker Mo Pangarkar, prop Elliot Lusher and scrum half Cullen Daly. With the retirement of stalwarts Danny Herriott and Arron Cooper, Director of Rugby Taff Gwilliam has looked to add depth to his front row roster in view of the challenge faced by the Pilgrims side as they compete at Regional 2 level for the first time.

“We are delighted to have retained the whole of last season’s squad, retirees apart,” says Taff. “The new signings add depth and competition to our squad. With the Pilgrims now at level 6 it was paramount that we strengthened. Luke Talbot and Maik Timmerman are experienced at National 2 players with the potential to improve further. Harry Drane has been playing regularly at a very high level in Wales. The fact that Lewis Young and Charlie Barker are in Saracens senior Academy players speaks for itself. Carter Oliver is an investment for the future who goes alongside some talented home grown youngsters we have coming through such as Owain Collins, Max Campbell, Aiden Demery, Ollie Jordan Smith, Isaac Devine and Andrew Thomas to name but a few.

An exciting season is in prospect”

Four For Eoin As Tom Says Farewell

COLCHESTER 33 CANTERBURY 50

by David Haigh

Canterbury’s season ended as it started, with victory over a Colchester side which has failed to survive its first experience of National 2 East rugby. In an entertaining, but messy affair which produced thirteen tries, the city club started well, were rightly punished for making simple errors either side of half time, but then wrestled back control with three tries in the last eleven minutes. The player who enjoyed himself most was Canterbury hooker Eoin O’ Donoghue who scored four of the team’s eight touchdowns, the best a 50 metre sprint which killed off all those perceptions of plodding front row forwards. He opened the scoring from a trademark catch and drive after seven minutes and further tries followed for Garry Jones and Henry Kenny. Despite the league’s leading goal kicker, Frank Reynolds, having a rare off day, the lead looked comfortable. Colchester pulled one back when good work by their lively scrum half was completed by Brett Cutbush and converted by Jack Edwards, but O’Donoghue’s second, supplemented by Reynolds, earned the bonus point. It was in the closing stages of the half that Canterbury went into slipshod mode and paid the price. A neat offload put Danny Whiteman across the line seconds before the break and Edwards conversion cut the lead to eight. The city side made a poor start to the second half and an Edwards try drew Colchester closer. The pressure became suffocating when both Garry Jones and Danny Herriott found themselves in the sin bin and against thirteen men Colchester took the lead with a converted try from Cameron Kerr. O’Donoghue came to the rescue, scooping up a dropped ball and setting off for his long distance score, converted by Reynolds, but the pressure was still on. A Haydn Sykes’ try and Edwards’ conversion saw Colchester go back in front but Canterbury now showed their staying power as they regained control of possession. O’Donoghue got his fourth but the most popular try of the day was set up by Tom Best, playing his 319th and final game before going into retirement. It was a kick and chase which Tom Williams finished off under the posts. With Reynolds substituted, Best converted the try. A catch and drive saw prop Cameron Macmillan close out the game with the final touchdown and Best’s successful kick ended his distinguished club career on a winning and scoring note.

Canterbury: A.Moss, F.Morgan, H.Sloan, T.Best, G.Jones, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, H.Kenny, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, C.McGovern, T.Oliver. Replacements: D. Herriott, W.Waddington, W.Calder, J.De Vries, C.Macmillan.

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v Colchester - 26 April 2025

Photos may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Canterbury Pack Late Punch

CANTERBURY 42 DORKING 35

by David Haigh

Two tries in the closing ten minutes from a rampaging Canterbury pack finally settled a pulsating game in which the result always hung in the balance. This victory guarantees the city club will end the National 2 East campaign in fourth place, their highest position for three seasons. It also extinguished Dorking’s hopes of taking the league title which now goes to Kent side Tonbridge Juddians. A magnificent crowd at the Marine Travel Ground had plenty to entertain them with some outstanding individual tries among the ten shared by the teams, the lead changing hands four times and a final home appearance for retiring Canterbury stalwarts Tom Best and Danny Herriott. In a cagey opening quarter, two Frank Reynolds penalty goals and a converted Frank Morgan try built a thirteen point lead. The try came from a Dorking handling error with Harry Sloan kicking the loose ball on to set up the score. That stirred the visitors and a powerful finish from lock Jasper King and the first of Henry Anscombe’s five conversions sparked the tit for tat nature of what followed. Next, came a great score from city full back Aiden Moss who returned a clearance kick by skewering every defender in a 45 metre run to the posts. Reynolds again obliged but by half time Dorking had crept into a single point lead. They made a catch and drive position pay with a try from Callum Watson and, two minutes before the break, full back Max Coyle matched Moss’s effort with a brilliant run and finish. There was further trouble for Canterbury after the restart when Dorking worked blind side space for wing Bryan Hotston’s try. Reynolds third penalty goal shaved three points off the visitors lead after Dorking skipper Will Scholes’ was handed a yellow card, a subtle shift in the the balance of pack power gave Canterbury fresh momentum and opened the way for Sloan’s try from a close quarter lineout. That brought an immediate response as Anscombe grabbed Dorking’s fifth touchdown to restore a five point lead, but then came the decisive late stages when Canterbury’s forwards took control. On 71 minutes a driving maul carried Tyler Oliver over the line, Reynolds converted, and with three minutes remaining they did a repeat performance as Eoin O’Donoghue’s try closed out an absorbing match.

Canterbury: A.Moss, F.Morgan, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, G.Jones, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, J.De Vries, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, C.McGovern, T.Oliver. Replacements: H.Kenny, D.Herriott, C.Macmillan, T.Best, W.Calder

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v Dorking - 12 April 2025

Photos may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Hat Trick Day at Oxford

OXFORD HARLEQUINS 29 CANTERBURY 66

by David Haigh

A commanding performance in the Oxford sunshine brought Canterbury ten tries with hat tricks for Number Eight Tyler Oliver and centre Harry Sloan. Fast, 4G pitches clearly suit the city side as this was the second time this season they have scored over sixty points on the artificial surfaces. After conceding the game’s first try they gradually flexed their muscles, upped their pace to secure a bonus point by half time, then stretched away impressively after the break. They repaired the damage of the early set back with Eoin O’Donohue given space to send Frank Morgan over for the try and Frank Reynolds knocking over the first of his eight conversions. Quins briefly added to Ben Venede’s early score with a catch and drive effort by Jim Roberts, converted by Jamie Whitwell, but that was the last time they enjoyed the lead. Canterbury went to work in expert fashion, putting the squeeze on at the set pieces, carrying hard to create breaks and rattling in three tries in a five minute spell. Oliver, twice, and Garry Jones were the scorers. Quins, lively with the ball in hand despite their defensive problems, staged a mini revival with tries from Jamie Fox and Dave Manning and a Whitwell conversion, but by the end of the half Oliver had grabbed his third from a catch and drive and O’Donoghue’s touchdown pushed the lead to 38-24. From that position a Canterbury side with the breeze at their backs were totally dominant. The second half was full of things to admire, from Reynolds’ 50/22 kick which set up position for Sloan’s first try; the great angles run by the centre for his second and third scores and the effective contribution of the bench replacements. one of whom, Tom Best, had a hand and a foot in two scores. His recognition of space and accurate kick was chased down by Charlie McGovern for the tenth try. Before that, Quins got a consolation score through Ben Bodinham, after Oliver was yellow carded, but this was a day when Canterbury’s class told.

Canterbury: A.Moss, F.Morgan. W.Waddington, H.Sloan, G.Jones, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, J.Stephens, J.De Vries, C.Thomas, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver. Replacements: C.McGovern, D.Herriott, C.Macmillan, T.Best, W.Calder

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Images may be subject to copyright – Les Gordon Photography

First Half Show Earns Win

BURY ST EDMUNDS 38 CANTERBURY 40

by David Haigh

Being on the wrong end of close run things has become Canterbury’s default position in recent games but here they reversed a sequence of four defeats by surviving a second half battering to complete a league double over the Suffolk club. How they came to be in trouble after establishing a 31-7 lead by half time will be top of the post match inquest. In the first forty minutes the city side played some of their most effective rugby of the season as pace, accuracy and flair brought four tries and a bonus point. After the turn round they looked a different side as they came under constant pressure from a motivated Bury who added five tries to their solitary first half score. Canterbury struggled for possession , created only one real try scoring opportunity and it was only the unfailing accuracy of fly half Frank Reynolds kicking, with three penalty goals, that saw them home. It was Reynolds who slotted the first three points of the game before Bury were taken apart. It started with ball spread wide from a catch and drive where Harry Sloan speared over. Next came a sharp break by Presley Farrance, finished by Frank Morgan, and the scrum half was again involved in the move which brought Harvey Furneaux a third try. When Bury made rare progress they gave a small hint of things to come, breaking off a maul for a try by James Harrison converted by Callum Hall. It seemed a minor blip when Jessie De Vries marched over under the posts two minutes before the break and Reynolds kicked his fourth conversions. Then the game was turned on its head by a Bury side determined to mark the start of the club’s centenary celebrations with a better show. They took just three minutes to strike through a catch and drive score by Finn McCartney and the pressure on penalty prone Canterbury very rarely eased. McCartney again, and Alex Earnshaw crossed, both converted by Hall, before Reynolds kept his city side ten points in front. Bury responded with tries by George Grigg-Pettit and, late on, a converted touchdown from George Loose. But it was not enough as Reynolds kept them at bay with a massive strike from half way and another nerveless kick five minutes from time.

Canterbury: A.Moss, H.Furneaux, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, J.De Vries, J.Stephens T.Mackenzie. Replacements: C.McGovern, D.Herriott, T. Williams, S.Rogers, T.Best

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v Bury St Edmunds - 15 March 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton