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
