Today’s game against Henley Hawks is to go ahead following a pitch inspection on Friday. Kick-off 3pm. The Canterbury squad will be without captain Jamie Stephens who was injured in the Guernsey match. Jamie must now undergo return to play concussion protocols and is ruled out for a minimum of two weeks. Tom Best will lead a side which sees Tom Halliday start at centre and Jake Dengate in the back row. Newcomer Ross Gladdish is named among the replacements.
Centre Ross Gladdish makes his first team debut at Guernsey on Saturday. The former Blackheath and Westcliff player is In the starting line-up after featuring in Pilgrims victory at Park House last week. Scrum half Tom Williams is also handed a starting place after recovering from the shoulder injury which kept him sidelined for three months. Tom Halliday and Ben Cooper move to the bench while the pack is unchanged from the Old Albanian game. Back row Alex Evans is recovering from illness so has been given another week to regain full fitness before he comes into consideration.
Head Coach Matt Corker says that while he is clearly not happy with the team’s current league position he believes that we are close to getting results. ‘We have played some good rugby in recent games but we must stop giving sides an advantage through our slow starts”, he said. “Guernsey away always offers a unique challenge in our season. We are privileged to be able to get on a plane to go and play a game of rugby and the last few games between us have been full of drama. Last season we started strongly, forging ahead 21-0 in the first half. The second half was a very different story and ill discipline opened the door for Guernsey to come back into the game and it took a penalty try in stoppage time for us to earn a draw. The game before that, a similar driving lineout in the last few minutes earnt us a dramatic win in our promotion season. We are taking a strong squad with us this weekend across the water, and I am expecting similar fireworks to our previous meetings.” The Pilgrims have a vital Counties 2 Kent league clash at home to Vigo, one of the three sides who have narrowly beaten them this season. Kick-off is 3pm
Two tries in the space of three second half minutes eased Albanians to victory but the scoreline was harsh on Canterbury’s spirited contribution to this National 2 East game. The decisive tries came when the city side were, a little unluckily, down to thirteen players after the referee showed yellow cards to Cameron Macmillan and Frank Reynolds. The visitors took full advantage of that mismatch with a second try from wing Toby Evans while fly half Alex Noot claimed his side’s fifth touchdown. Before those players were sent to the sin bin, replacement prop Macmillan for an alleged accumulation of scrum offences before he even got on the pitch and Reynolds for a high tackle, there were only seven points between the teams and the city side were playing some good rugby. After a slow start, which allowed Albanians to take an eight point lead through a Noot penalty goal and a try by Wilson Ijeh, chasing down a probing kick from Elliot McPhun, Canterbury arrived at half time 13-8 ahead. The margin could have been greater had a city side, who controlled the set scrums, been able to turn pressure into points. They had to be content with two Reynolds penalty goals until the final minute of the half when the fly half spotted a gap and sent Guy Hilton between the post for a converted try. With slope and wind to master after the break it was not a convincing lead and an Albanian side that solved its scrum problems and were quick to identify space took control of the early minutes. A blindside probe ended with a Jarryd Sage try, converted by Noot, and a powerful and impressive run from wingman Evans pushed them into the lead. Canterbury, however, were still positive and finding holes which promised more points. Then came the yellow cards which damaged them beyond repair. When back to full strength they gave a glimpse of what might have been, attacking with purpose and creating a converted try for prop Billy Young, a just reward for his outstanding afternoon’s work.
Canterbury: W.Waddington, G.Hilton, T.Halliday, T.Best, S.Lanre, F.Reynolds, B.Cooper, B.Young, N.Morris, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.De Vries, J.Stephens, C.Murray, T.Oliver. Replacements: F.Morgan, J Dengate, C.Macmillan, T.Williams, E Lusher
CANTERBURY v OLD ALBANIAN
After a week’s break the team face a testing return to duty with the visit of Old Albanian who currently sit fourth in National2 East. With seven victories, one of them over leaders Blackheath, and three defeats they are making a serious challenge for honours. Head Coach Matt Corker has welcomed news that his squad is now mostly free from the illness which affected their performance last time out. The pack is unchanged and the only adjustments to the back division come on the replacements bench where Frank Morgan returns after successfully completing concussion protocols. He is joined by scrum half Tom Williams who makes a long awaited return after recovering from a serious shoulder injury in pre-season game. Matt Corker writes: “The week off came at a good time for us and we used the break to not only reflect on the first ten games but also focus on what we want the story of the rest of the season to be. We are very fortunate to have Chris Musgrove on board as our mental skills coach and he did a great session with both the Pilgrims and 1st XV putting some detail on what we want to achieve, and importantly how are we going to do it. I see these next four games before the Christmas break as a real opportunity to show what the team is capable of, and with 20 points up for grabs there is a great deal to be gained. The squad has trained well this week and the players look fresh from a weekend off. We know that Old Albanians will be becoming full of confidence after a strong start to the season and I am expecting another very competitive afternoon of National league rugby.“
The Pilgrims face a tough Counties Kent 2 assignment as they travel to Bromley to meet Park House. If they are to maintain their third position in the league they must come away with a result against a side with a similar playing record and who are unbeaten home this season.
CANTERBURY TALES
TOP CLUB
We have has been named Rugby Club of the Year at a National awards ceremony. The accolade came at the Club Mirror Awards in Leicester. The Club Mirror Media group champions licensed clubs across a wide field, including sport, and makes the awards annually. Canterbury were also finalists in the Social Media category. Chairman Giles Hilton, Club Secretary Sally Taylor, and Communications Manager Denys Andrianjafy accepted the award on behalf of the club. “This is really a recognition of us as an inclusive community club ” said Giles. “The great thing about the Club Mirror Awards is that they look at the activity of the club as a whole, So it really is testament to us as #OneClub”.
HEART OF SUCCESS
It has been a busy seven days at the club. Last weekend saw over 200 members take part in the heart screening programme aimed at identifying young people who might be at risk of Sudden death Syndrome. Members between the ages of 14 and 35 were invited to have a screening. There was another encouraging response to the Careers Fair where local businesses showcased career opportunities to students and others seeking a change of work.
Bury St Edmunds 31 Canterbury 17by Andy RogersInjury and illness may have shaped selection for this league encounter at Bury – with four players making their first start of the season – but the outcome was all too familiar. Plenty of endeavour, particularly in the second half but by then the initiative had been lost and so had the game.
As in the previous week, Canterbury shipped their first try within two minutes when Bury winger Mick Stanway waltzed his way through a gaping hole in the defence. In trying to gain a foothold in the game the city side repeatedly failed to kick effectively, inviting Bury’s talented back three to run the ball wide. A 13th-minute try from No 8 Ruaraidh Williams stretched the home side’s lead to fourteen points.Guilty of far too many unforced errors and poor tactical kicking Canterbury did strike on 20 minutes when No 8 Tyler Oliver scored a pushover but whilst the hard work was there the precision needed was not. A further Bury try from Matt Bursey, converted by Kodie Hawkins, saw them go in at the break 21 – 5 to the good.
Twenty five minutes into the second half and Bury had put the game to bed with further tries from Ben Cooper, from a catch and drive, and full back Will Affleck’s interception and 60 metre sprint. It was an unlucky blow just as Canterbury were building some attacking momentum.
With the game now beyond them, the city side went on to grab two scores in the final ten minutes as they searched for a consolation losing bonus point. Relentless carrying from inspirational skipper Jamie Stephens led to tries for winger Guy Hilton and debutant loose head Cameron Macmillan, with Frank Reynolds adding one conversion. Alas, even that single point was to elude them.
Injury problems have dictated the shape of the squad which travels to Bury St Edmunds on Saturday. Wing Frankie Morgan and flanker Alex Evans miss out after picking up head knocks at Barnes and must follow concussion guidelines. Also out of contention is Will Calder who has a muscle strain. Sherif Lanre fills the wing vacancy and makes his first start in the senior team. A reshuffle in the pack sees Jesse De Vries return to the second row with captain Jamie Stephens moving to Number Six. New front row signing Cameron Macmillan joins the replacements bench where Elliot Lusher returns after recovering from illness. Kick-off is 3pm.
There is good and admission free league rugby at The Marine Travel Ground on Saturday with the Pilgrims, who now sit third in Counties Kent 2, hosting Westcombe Park 2nd. Kick-off is 3pm and there are pre-match lunches available. Our 3rd are also at home to Sevenoaks 3rd.
Last weekend saw the final appearance in a Canterbury shirt of prop Aaron Cooper who is joining Westcombe Park. ‘Coops’ has been an important and popular player for both the club and the Kent County team since joining from Dover in 2016. The game at Barnes last week was his 136th appearance for the first team. Typical of the great club man he has been Aaron cut short a holiday to join the squad at Barnes when Elliot Lusher had to withdraw through illness. Without Aaron we would have been short of the mandatory front row cover required in league games so we owe him a real debt.. At ‘Combe he will make it a family affair as he joins brother Joe on the player roster.
Stepping into Aaron Cooper’s boots is Cameron Macmillan, a Scotland Under 20 and Glasgow Warriors Under 20 loose head prop who can play across the front row positions, He is due to make his first appearance in the Bury St Edmunds game where he is among the bench replacements. Cameron joins us from Scotland Super Six side Stirling Wolves.
BARNES 37 CANTERBURY 26By David HaighHaving donated victory to Barnes with a dreadful first half performance, Canterbury hauled themselves off the floor to win won a losing bonus point from the final play of the match. At half time they were trailing by twenty two points and when the home side ran in their fourth try six minutes after the break the city club’s prospects looked even bleaker. Then, late in the day, they became serious competitors and scored three converted tries. There was too much ground to make up to snatch a victory but the lift in momentum was welcome after Barnes had clearly been the better side. They went ahead in the first minute when Rory Kassapian easily brushed off the tacklers on his way to the line and Simon Keller converted. It was the first of several gifts Canterbury offered and were eagerly accepted in that first 40 minutes when the home side looked dangerous every time they had the ball. Keller scored and converted the second try after his pack had done the spadework and the fly half added two penalty goals before Canterbury made any impression. Cameron Murray’s close range try offered a glimpse of daylight but that was snuffed out within three minutes when the gift package was opened again. A pass to no one in particular was seized on by Barnes and Josh Souter left Josh Davies a simple conversion. The signs that Canterbury might have something to contribute emerged early second half with strong carrying from replacement Alex Evans and the consistent Murray. That didn’t prevent Barnes full back Paddy McDuell from setting up the bonus point try for Will Lewin when he turned a clearance kick into an opportunity and stretched the lead to twenty seven. But now came the shift in fortunes. Despite struggling at the set scrums the city club started to find territory. Frank Morgan was held up over the line before the backs worked space for Guy Hilton who sent Ben Cooper in for the touchdown. Frank Reynolds converted before there was another set back with a Barnes try for James Crabtree. However, Canterbury were now the confident team as Barnes collected two yellow cards and Eoin O’Donoghue, on his senior debut, completed a driving maul with the third try. The forwards then won the bonus point in the final minute as Nathan Morris powered over. Respect if not victory had been restored.Canterbury; R.Howard, (repl T.Halliday), G.Hilton, W.Waddington T.Best, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds, B.Cooper, B.Young, N.Morris (repl E.O’Donoghue). D.Herriott (repl A.Cooper), D.Irvine, (repl A.Evans), J.Stephens, H.Andrews, C.Murray, T.Oliver.
Canterbury travel to West London on Saturday to meet third placed Barnes knowing that they have very rarely come second at the host club’s ground. Last season the game at Barn Elms ended in 20-20 draw and a squad buoyed by last week’s victory over Rochford Hundred will be looking to put in a strong performance. There are two selection changes with wing Guy Hilton returning after completing mandatory concussion protocols while front row man Eoin O’Donoghue joins Guy on the replacements bench.. This will be Eoin’s first team squad debut. Kick-off is 2.30 pm. The weather forecast for Barnes is light rain so supporters should come prepared as there is very little shelter at the ground. AT The Marine Travel Ground the Pilgrims take on Sidcup 2nd, a side currently one place above them in Counties Kent 2, kick-off 3 pm, and on Sunday the Womens’ team are at home to Kent rivals Medway Ladies with a 2.30 pm kick-off. Unfortunately, the 3rd team’s Kent Invicta league home fixture has been cancelled as opponents Beckenham cannot raise a side.
Head Coach Matt Corker writes: “Last Saturday, turning round at half time with a lead of 10 points to nil playing up the hill, we were in an identical situation to the game against Dorking. The growth in the team over the last few weeks really shone through in the next forty minutes and there were many positives that contributed to a strong win. The way we controlled the territorial battle and applied pressure through our kicking game was one of the biggest improvements. Another hallmark of a good performance was the composer that we showed after conceding two quick tries to narrow the scoreline. The team made a plan and stuck to it, and I feel you could see the clarity of purpose that this gave us.
Barnes are eight places above us in the table and have had some good wins in the first eight games but the important thing for us to focus on is that we are only separated by 10 points. Each weekend is an opportunity for us to climb the table but to do this we know our attention must be on getting better every week.”
CANTERBURY 31 ROCHFORD HUNDRED 12
by David Haigh
For Canterbury, relief as they ended a four game losing run with a bonus point victory and won praise from Head Coach Matt Corker: “I am really pleased for the players after a difficult period.” he said. ” Our composure and the way we played territory in the second half was excellent.” Two tries in the final ten minutes sealed the win after Rochford had cut a comfortable seventeen point lead to just five and once again raised doubts about Canterbury’s resilience. Too often the closing stages have been the city side’s downfall but this time they had the game and the power to pass the test with scores from Ben Cooper and Alex Evans. They knew they had work to do after a largely dominant but patchy first half was marred by errors and ended with a modest ten point lead. Frank Reynolds, who made an important contribution with a flawless display from the tee, converting all four tries, put the first points on the board with a penalty goal but it was not until the 28th minute that Canterbury could top it up. The visitors defence for once went missing and Tyler Oliver scored under the posts. Rochford, however, could be quietly pleased as they had the breeze and the slope in their favour after the break. They made an early impact in the second half but a try saving tackle by Will Calder and a great turnover from Frankie Morgan rescued Canterbury and from that point they took control of the third quarter. Rochford leaked penalties and when Reynolds kicked his side into the corner the pack did the rest with a driving maul and touch down from prop Elliot Lusher. All seemed well in the Canterbury camp until the Rochford backs, quiet for much of the day, sprung to life and produced two tries in the space of four minutes. Centre Damian Brambley scored them both, the first from a move to savour, and with a Chris Dudman conversion trouble loomed for Canterbury. It was then that a new found character and good decision making were rewarded. Reynolds and Tom Best combined neatly to send scrum half Ben Cooper in for the third try and a tiring Rochford were firmly trapped in their own territory. As the game wound down they were pressured into another penalty, the city forwards pounced with a powerful driving maul and Alex Evans completed a job well done.
Canterbury: R.Howard, W.Calder (repl M.Halliday), W.Waddington (repl T.Halliday), T.Best, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds, B.Cooper, B.Young (repl A.Cooper), N.Morris, D.Herriott (repl E.Lusher), D.Irvine (repl A.Evans), J.Stephens, H.Andrews, C.Murray, T.Oliver
MATCH PREVIEW
Saturday’s game will be seen as a real opportunity to end to a four game losing streak. Rochford Hundred have three victories this season, including a shock win at Tonbridge Juddians, and are three places above Canterbury in the league table. However, the Essex side have a poor defensive record, averaging 32 points per game in the ‘against’ column’. They suffered a 28-3 reverse at Barnes last week. Matt Corker makes a couple of changes to the squad which did service at Sevenoaks with Dave Irvine returning to the second row and Frankie Morgan to the wing. Guy Hilton is still undergoing concussion protocols so Will Calder takes the Number 14 shirt, with Max Halliday moving to the replacements bench.
The Pilgrims travel to meet Sevenoaks 2 who are currently the undefeated leaders of Counties Kent 2.
Matt Corker says: “When you have lost a game, it is much harder to find the positives. We obviously still have things that need work, but even though results haven’t been going the way we want, the team has been making improvements week on week. So why aren’t we winning? We have some clear areas that we need to be more clinical in, and this week they have been our focus on the pitch but I have also spoken to the players about the quote below from Jacob Riis, the American 19th Century journalist.
“When nothing seems to help, I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.”
This has been used by other sporting teams, but I think it applies to our situation. All good teams go through difficult times, it’s what we love about sport. My message to the players has been don’t put down your hammer just keep pounding the rock, because when your back’s against the wall it’s the only way out.”