It has been a season to remember for our 1st XV, marked not only by strong performances on the pitch but by the emergence of new talent stepping confidently into senior rugby.
This year saw a number of players earn their 1st XV debuts, a significant milestone for any player and a moment that reflects both individual commitment and the strength of the club’s development pathway.
We are proud to recognise the following players who made their first appearances:
Each of these players stepped up when called upon, embracing the challenge of senior rugby and making their mark on the team.
These debut opportunities are a true reflection of the club’s commitment to developing players and providing a clear pathway into top-level competition. The transition from junior ranks or squad rugby into the 1st XV is never easy, but this group demonstrated that hard work, perseverance, and readiness are rewarded.
Their performances underline the depth within the squad and highlight the importance of nurturing homegrown talent.
With such promising signs this season, there is plenty to be excited about. The blend of experience and emerging players positions the squad well for future challenges, and we are confident that more players will follow in the footsteps of this year’s debutants.
We look forward to the incoming season with great anticipation — and to many more moments like these as the next generation continues to rise.
Canterbury Rugby Club is pleased to announce that our senior leadership group will remain in place for the 2026/27 season, providing continuity, experience, and a strong on‑field presence across the squad.
Captain Jamie Stephens, a commanding second row, will continue to lead from the heart of the pack. His physicality, work rate, and calm authority have been central to the team’s identity, and his return as captain sets a powerful tone for the year ahead.
Alongside him, Frank Reynolds resumes his role as Vice‑Captain. As a fly half, Frank’s game management, creativity, and composure under pressure make him a natural leader and a key decision‑maker across all phases of play.
They will once again be supported by three influential figures within the squad:
Together, this group represents the standards, ambition, and unity that define Canterbury Rugby Club. Their influence on and off the field has been invaluable, and we look forward to supporting them as they guide the team into the 2026/27 campaign.
CANTERBURY 94 OXFORD HARLEQUINS 0
by David Haigh
This huge victory in the final game of the league season was perhaps all too easy against National 2 East’s bottom side. In the process, Canterbury’s free flowing style saw them win the bonus point in the first 20 minutes and go on to stack up fourteen tries. Quins were not at full strength so the city squad brought their own fresh mix to the match. But from wing Garry Jones’ sixth minute try it was clear that a changed line-up was still too potent for the relegated visitors. After Jones had set the tone, there were four more touchdowns in the opening quarter, shared equally between forwards and backs, as Tyler Oliver, Tom Williams, Eoin O’Donoghue and Jamie Stephens kept the scoreboard busy. In control of possession and moving the ball at pace, Canterbury ruthlessly exploited poor tackling and by half time were 52 points ahead. Owain Collins, Jones again and Mo Pangarker, who made an immediate impact from the bench, all crossed for tries. There was no let up in the second half, with front row men Dan Huntley and Cameron Macmillan soon powering over from close range. Pangarker and wing Archie English were next on the sheet, creating and finishing as the spaces kept opening up, but the afternoon’s real eye catcher came from hooker O’Donoghue. His foot work and pace over 50 metres was a thing of beauty. The final nail was hammered into Quins by a second try from Williams and with twelve conversions – ten for Frank Reynolds and two by Presley Farrance – the last target was the 100 points mark. Canterbury narrowly missed it but no one was complaining.
Canterbury: P.Farrance, G.Jones, O.Collins, H.Sloan, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, C.Macmillan, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, J.De Vries, J.Stephens, M.McCormack, R.Thomas, T.Oliver. Replacements: A.English, M.Pangarker, J.Everatt, D.Huntley, W.Waddington
SATURDAY PREVIEW
Last Saturday was tough one to take and one of my most disappointing in rugby. Six points across the two games was all that separated us from very different emotions. When I look in the mirror, I know we came up short and that has made processing our weekend so important. I can’t question the pride that every player had in wearing the Canterbury shirt, it was clear for all to see, but our execution at key moments sealed out fate. In big games small margins become deciding factors.
I said last week that this was the end of the season where destinies are decided and seeing the Pilgrims relegated by such a small margin, after a long campaign where we finished outside the relegation places, was another reminder of how unforgiving sport can be. I shared a quote on Tuesday from my new favourite Chinese philosopher. Confucius is credited with saying “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising ever time we fall”. It has been a long journey to get our Pilgrims playing at level 6 and this knock back won’t deter us from preparing the squad to return next season.
One of the most rewarding parts of this year has been watching our young players grow and develop. Seeing them progress, gain confidence and push toward national league level and beyond is exactly what we want this club to stand for. Creating an environment where players can arrive, improve, and realise their potential will always be at the heart of what we do.
My thanks must go to Mal Graves and Will Hilton who have worked hard with the team and Saturday’s result does not take away from their efforts all season. Dan Gill has also helped the Pilgrims wheels continue to turn as the Pilgrims team manager as well and notching up another handful of performances.
A big thank you as well to Tom Short, who has led the Cannons through another strong season, keeping them in Counties 3 Kent after last year’s promotion. Thanks to his work, there continues to be a clear and effective pathway between the Pilgrims and Cannons, which is incredibly valuable and not easy to maintain.
Against Barnes, the 1st XV made exactly the start we had prepared for and went into half-time in control, with Aiden Moss crossing for two tries on his final appearance for the club.
In the second half, however, a series of handling errors at crucial moments limited our ability to build on that lead. Combined with coming off second best in the set-piece, it shifted momentum and placed us under increasing pressure. Too often, that pressure was self-inflicte and the penalties we conceded gave Barnes the opportunities they needed to stay in the game. We held the lead until the very last play, which makes the outcome an especially bitter pill to swallow.
As a group we feel fortunate to have the opportunity this weekend to finish the season on a different note and put in a complete performance against Oxford Harlequins who visit the Marine Travel ground tomorrow.
I write this column every week, but as the season comes to a close its essential for me to recognise the people that the team could not function without.
Alex Veale has put up with me for another year and has developed new and inventive ways to captivate the players imaginations and focus on our attack. Even Clive has been involved in some of the demo’s!
Nathan Morris was coaching on the pitch until Christmas and since has been supporting our scrum virtually, maximising the use of technology at our disposal. Thanks to him, our young front row have continued to develop and he is constantly fielding questions for myself.
I must also thank our Director of Rugby, Taff Gwilliam, for all his hard work and support throughout the season. There is a great deal of work that goes into enabling the club to thrive and operate cohesively and Taff is at the heart of that.
Chris Fullbrook aka Vinnie, has continued to be in charge of many different roles including 1st XV team manager, fourth official, registration secretary, head of discipline as well many things in between. I am continually grateful for his knowledge and the amount of time his gives to the team, without it we wouldn’t be able to function.Thanks to Ernie and Darren for taking their annual cruise to Guernsey with a car full of kit! This makes all the difference and greatly simplifies our travel as a team on the day.
Charline Bannigan has been working his magic in the treatment room, supported brilliantly by Ben Cassidy, Leon Benning and Malek, our fantastic student from the University of Kent.
Thanks also to David Haigh, our ever-reliable press officer and matchday announcer, and to Rebecca Williams for leading our communications so effectively.
As a squad we will complete our annual review next week and as a 1st XV and Pilgrims this is the first time in recent seasons that we haven’t made obvious progress from a league table perspective. Irrespective of this, I have still seen a great deal of growth in the group and across the board we are doing things to a higher standard and in greater detail compared to this time last year. My immediate reflection is that this shows how keeping pace in the competitive landscape that we battle in each season is essential. For us to take the next step forward more is needed from every area and we will use pre-season to make sure we leave no stone unturned. That isn’t for now though.
For now, I have three final thank yous. Firstly, to everyone who has supported us throughout the season. We’ve shared some special moments at home — Oundle and Dorking stand out in particular — and those occasions are made even more memorable by the energy and passion from those on the sidelines.
We know that anyone who pulls on a Canterbury shirt is representing more than just themselves — they’re representing a community — and that’s something the players feel every time they step onto the field.
Secondly I would like to thank the committee for allowing me to lead the team for another season. Our Club continues to grow against the external prevailing winds and I am so proud to be able to contribute my own part to such a special community. I am fortunate to see how hard our committee works to make this all possible.
My final thank you goes to the players. Watching this group of young men develop, not just as players but as people, is something I never take for granted. Seeing the friendships they build and how they balance life with rugby at the centre of it all is a big part of what makes this team special and it’s clear to see the impact it has week in, week out. I’m incredibly grateful for the time, effort, and energy they invest into the team. It’s that commitment that makes this group what it is — a side that’s stronger together and far greater than the sum of its parts.
I hope you all have a great summer and I look forward to seeing you at the start of another exciting season in September.
MATT CORKER, HEAD COACH
MATCH PREVIEW
I call this the business end of the season and as this is when destiny’s are decided. I have been fortunate to be part of some big Saturdays in my time with the club but they don’t come much bigger than this one, with two massive fixtures back to back on the main pitch.
First up, the Pilgrims have their biggest game of the season, facing Dartfordians in a relegation playoff match that will decided which league we play in next season. Its 10th vs 11th at the Marine travel ground kicking off at 12 Noon and this is the type of fixture we have been preparing for. The journey the players have been on this season has propelled this group forward and that is why playing in Regional 2 next season is so valuable for us. Just because the stakes are higher than usual the road to success is always through a focusing on our own performance. The players know what they need to do and have prepared well this week.
The 1st XV will then follow with their own season defining fixture. A win against Barnes will put us in pole position to finish 4th with our game in hand to follow next week also at home against Oxford Harlequins. Barnes have beaten us in everyone of the previous seven games. This season We have overturned several records similar to this and having the opportunity to meet this last outstanding challenge is something myself and the squad are focused on.
The sun is going to be out, as it always is on sponsors day, and the stakes are high in both games, I wouldn’t miss this one if I were you.
MATT CORKER, HEAD COACH
A massive day at the Marine Travel Ground on Saturday (April 25th) with both the First and Pilgrims in action. It starts at 12 noon when the Pilgrims kick-off against Dartfordians in a relegation play-off match to decide which side stays in Regional 2 South East. That is followed by the first team’s clash with Barnes as Canterbury look to continue their home winning run. It is a special day, too, for our talented and long serving back Aiden Moss. It will be Aiden’s last appearance before he heads into playing retirement.
CANTERBURY 34 ESHER 33
by David Haigh
Ultimately, it was Canterbury’s ability to hang in at the end that settled a game which produced eleven tries, two hat tricks and enough twists and turns to keep a crowd, basking in Spring sunshine, in a state of nervous tension. Esher, full of purpose in their battle to avoid a relegation play-off match, held a narrow lead going into the final ten minutes. But the city side, who put a careless first half behind them, kept their cool, won a penalty and from it organised a massive driving maul for Eoin O’Donogue’s winning try. The victory lifts them to fifth place in National 2 East and, with a game in hand on the clubs above them, they will be eyeing a top four finish to the season. They were given early notice that Esher meant business as their prolific wing, James Botterill, added two tries to his growing tally in the opening 20 minutes. Forward grunt set up the first, crisp handing made the second. Canterbury were full of loose passes and unforced errors, but a yellow card for Esher’s Josh Thorne gave them an opportunity. Tyler Oliver delivered from a smart lineout drill and Frank Reynolds converted but there was more trouble in store. A Presley Farrance kick was charged down and Ben Robbins cashed in with the try that took the visitors to a half time lead of eight points. What a different beast the second half was for Canterbury. In the first seven minutes, Number Eight Oliver completed his hat trick, first a storming run of 40 metres after finding a midfield gap, then on the end of a catch drive, to give his side the lead for the first time. It did not last, however, as Owen Waters, who was off target with all his conversion attempts, slotted a simple penalty goal and Esher next put crushing pressure on the city defence to earn themselves another seven points with a penalty try. They quickly blew that advantage through a poor decision to kick from their in-goal area; Reynolds ran it back and the support opened the way for a Ryley Thomas try which Reynolds converted. There was still more drama to come; the restart was spilled and Botterill punished the error with his third try. Next, a charge down by Jesse Vries allowed Canterbury to mount an attack before Frank Morgan released Kurt Heatherley for the team’s fifth touchdown. It was heart stopping stuff and Esher’s slender one point lead became four when Waters struck again with a drop goal but, with six minutes remaining, the city side did not panic. The O’Donoghue score was clinically executed and in the closing stages the ball was successfully stowed away to thwart any Esher response.
Canterbury: K.Heatherley, M.Campbell, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, L.Talbot, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O.Donoghue, O.Frostick, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, J.Walker, R.Thomas, T.Oliver. Replacements: T.Williams, J.De Vries, F.Morgan, J.Dengate, C.Macmillan
Reaching 100 consecutive appearances for the club is no small feat, and today we celebrate a player who truly embodies commitment, consistency and class.
Frank Reynolds, better known to everyone as “Cheese”, has become synonymous with reliability and high performance. Week in, week out, he has delivered for the team, setting standards both on and off the pitch. This remarkable milestone is yet another shining example of why Frank is such a vital figure within the squad and a hugely respected Men’s 1st XV Vice Captain.
From leading by example in matches to setting the tone in training, Cheese has shown what it means to represent the club with pride. Turning up every week, giving everything for the badge, and doing it 100 times in a row is an outstanding achievement.
Consistency of this level does not happen by accident. It reflects dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the team, qualities that define Frank as both a player and a leader.
This is an incredible milestone and one that deserves huge recognition from everyone connected to the club.
Congratulations, Cheese. Here’s to the next 100! 👏🖤💛
MATCH PREVIEW
The stats tell a good part of the story from last Saturday. We had five entries into the Guernsey 22 area and scored five tries; ten of the starting 15 had double-digit tackle counts and Guernsey only won 50% of their lineout compared to our 85% in windy conditions.
This translates to us being ruthless in every attacking opportunity, we worked like dogs in defence and we shut down their lineout, taking away a big part of their attacking platform. All this after planes, one lad on a train and automobiles in the morning. There will always be things for us to work on and gifting Guernsey two intercept tries kept the scores close throughout. That said, it takes a big effort to go there and win and the players flipped our recent away form to give us and the many people who travelled to support the team a great memory.
The back-to-back home games waiting for us at the end of the season are something I have been looking forward to since pre-season; now that it’s become a three-game run it’s set to be a memorable few weeks. Esher arrive at the Marine Travel Ground needing points from their final two games to avoid the relegation play-off. We delivered one of our best performances of the season away at their place, but we know it will take more of the same on Saturday against a motivated side.
The Pilgrims were unfortunate not to come away with a win at Battersea, narrowly losing 12–7. They created plenty of opportunities through some excellent attacking play, but ultimately couldn’t convert enough of those chances into points.
There is still one final opportunity to avoid the relegation play-off. They travel to Sutton & Epsom needing a five-point win, while preventing the home side from picking up any bonus points. It’s a tough challenge but also a great opportunity to secure our place in Regional 2 for next season.
MATT CORKER, HEAD COACH