Category: 1st XV

Pack Power Sets Up Victory

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 31 OXFORD HARLEQUINS 10

by David Haigh

Forward power underpinned this Canterbury victory which lifted them to fifth place in National 2 East on a cold and blustery afternoon at the Marine Travel Ground. By half time they had four tries and a bonus point tucked away as their dominance kept Quins on the defensive and were punished for their lack of discipline. After a bright start, with a catch and drive try after only two minutes, the visitors submerged under a wave of penalties and two yellow cards. Centre Archie Van Dijk was the first to head for the sin bin for a high tackle and the city side quickly took the lead with a driving maul and a try for hooker Eoin O’Donoghue, converted by Frank Reynolds. Once in front, Canterbury stayed there and when Quins skipper Willo Bicknell was next to see yellow they pushed further ahead as Reynolds threaded a kick behind the defence and Aiden Moss pounced for the try. There was a temporary set back when Quins produced an excellent 50/22 kick to create an opportunity for the pack and Allan Purchase added a try to the early Ben Bodingham score. That was the last time, however, they were seen as an attacking threat as Canterbury pinned them back and Tom Mackenzie burst on to Danny Herriott’s pass to score under the posts. Reynolds converted and was on target again as continued pressure brought O’Donoghue his second try on the stroke of half time. With a 26-10 scoreline the stage seemed set for a Canterbury stroll and with Quins scrum in full retreat after the break it was a reasonable assumption. It did not happen that way because the Oxford outfit put in a greatly improved defensive shift, the city side made costly handling errors and muddled thinking saw them ignore easy penalty points. It wasn’t until the 73rd minute that they found a way, with Kurt Heatherley giving Alfie Orris a clear overlap for the fifth try to complete a comfortable, if slightly low key, success.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, G.Jones, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, A.Moss, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, O.Frostick, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver. Replacements: S.Rogers, C.McGovern, T.Williams, D.Huntley, A.Orris

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v Oxford Harlequins - 7 Dec 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton
Harry Sloane

Major New Signing

Posted on | by David Haigh

CENTRE HARRY SLOAN JOINS SQUAD

The club has announced a significant addition to their senior squad with the signing of centre Harry Sloan from French ProD2 side Agen. During a top flight career he has played at international level, representing England Under20s, and appeared in the English Premiership with Harlequins and Saracens. The 30-year old 6ft 2in, 16 stones player is a Kent man, born in Pembury, near Tunbridge Wells, whose first club was Cranbrook before he joined the Harlequins Academy. Harry made 36 Premiership appearances for Quins, before a spell with Championship side Ealing Trailfinders and then signing for Saracens. He has spent two season in French rugby with Agen but has now decided to move into to the semi-professional game while he develops career opportunities outside rugby.
The club’s Director of Rugby, Taff Gwilliam, said: “The signing of Harry Sloan underlines the ambition of Canterbury to become a sustainable leading club in the Kent and South East area. We welcome Harry, who adds quality and experience to our developing senior squad. He is an intelligent and humble man who will fit in well with the rest of the squad. We are simply delighted he has chosen to join us and look forward to him taking to the field in Canterbury colours.

Harry Sloane

LAST MINUTE MISERY

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

HENLEY HAWKS 17 CANTERBURY 16

by David Haigh

A converted try in the final play of the match snatched a dramatic victory for the Hawks and left Canterbury a hugely disappointed team. The city side had led from the fourth minute to the last and a losing bonus point was scant reward for their efforts. On a day when the shape of the game was dictated by the wind and rain of winter storm Bert, it was the city side who edged the territorial battle to establish an eight point advantage by half time. With scoring chances at a premium in the testing conditions it was a good position to be in, but their failure to exploit attacking positions in the second half proved costly. From the start, the pack caused Henley problems at both scrum and lineout, grappled powerfully in the loose and got an early reward through a Frank Reynolds penalty goal. Despite losing hooker Eoin O’Donoghue to a yellow card, Reynolds added another valuable three points after 22 minutes. It was against the run of play when Henley replied with the first try of the afternoon, Lailand Gordon snapping up loose ball in his own 22 metre area and breaking free before his long kick ahead was chased down well by scrum half Aidan Pugh. Max Kitchener was off target with a kickable conversion and the city side quickly found a score of their own. Pressure and penalties gave them the chance and on a day when the backs on both sides were largely redundant as an attacking option, wing Garry Joined the driving maul to touch down and Reynolds converted. As conditions worsened after the break the action was all arm wrestle with the forwards slugging it out. Hawks struck early as they cured some of their possession problems, kicked effectively and got a catch and drive try by Beau Delaney. Canterbury worked hard to find scoring positions but were failed by penalties and handling errors which left them relying on Reynolds’ third penalty goal. It opened a six point lead which might have been enough but in those crucial last minutes they came under severe pressure. Aaron Cooper was yellow carded for a technical offence and, after three attempts, a driving maul ended with hooker Spencer Hayhow’s try. Titchener, who had missed every shot a goal up to that point, was on the money when it mattered.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, A.Moss, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, G.Jones, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, O.Frostick, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver T.Williams, S.Rogers, A.Cooper, Y. De Mowbray, H.Young

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v Henley - 23 Nov 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

HENLEY BLOCK THE WAY

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

Last Saturday our first half performance was easily one of the best in recent years. Going in at 40-7 the players had shown the extent of their ability to move the ball and execute under pressure. This was obviously pleasing from my perspective and I loved the way the team and its leaders controlled the game. At fifty minutes we extended our lead to a margin of 52-14, an impressive score line, and we have spoken in the week about what happened next. Conceding three tries, and the manner of these tries, are not part of our defensive identity. We took our collision intensity down a notch and at national league level all teams will expose this. It is some good feedback that we can’t ignore and if we use the learning will be extremely valuable. The other silver lining is that we wrestled our way back into the driving seat with a twenty two phase attack sequence that ended in us winning a penalty. This was a big moment in the game and swung the momentum back in our direction and we finished with another score. When the pressure begins to build this is exactly the type of understanding and character that the best teams have.
In the blink of an eye we are at the final game this three game block. These short bursts of matches will be the prevailing rhythm for the remainder of the season and to finish this first one off with three wins we must travel to Henley. Henley sit above us on equal points and this has always been a challenging fixture. I feel we have grown a great deal in the last two weeks and Saturday will give us a true test of this progress.
The Pilgrims came through their own test last week away at Dover. A team full of experience and ability ran out 27-43 winners scoring seven tries. This keeps them at the top of the table ahead of their game away at Cranbrook this weekend.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Jones Points The Way

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 59 BURY ST EDMUNDS 35

by David Haigh

For a second week Canterbury soared past the half century mark as their attacking style produced nine tries, a hat trick for wing Garry Jones and a bonus point victory. Once again it was a first half blitz that sent them on their way in this National 2 East clash and later bought them breathing space to see off a spirited Bury response. By half time the city side had hit the 40 mark and were dominating all areas as the visitors struggled at the set pieces and were shredded by an enterprising back division. Jones set the tone with a try after five minutes and although there was a reply with a close range touchdown from Finlay McCartney, converted by Charlie Reed, the rest of the half was mostly a one-way street. Canterbury rattled up another five tries before the break starting with a driving maul completed by Eoin O’Donoghue and an overthrown lineout leading to flanker Chad Thomas scoring the third city try. Bury, looking to counter from deep when they could, had a score ruled out for a forward pass, but it was quickly back to normal service as Canterbury’s risk and reward rugby made the line breaks. Wing Alfie Orris set up a Kurt Heatherley try, the backs opened space for Jones to cross again and Frank Morgan made a telling run for a Tom Williams try in the 38th minute. With five conversions from Frank Reynolds the game was in Canterbury’s grip, tightened two minutes into the second half when the power of wingman Orris was too much for the last Bury defender. It was now, however, that Bury started to find their feet. A try from centre Samir Kharbouch was quickly rubbed out by Jones’ third touch down, and a Reynolds conversion, but the next fifteen minutes showed the visitors at their best. Kharbouch scored twice to become the game’s second hat trick man, Will Metcalfe rumbled over for their fifth try and with Reed converting everything Bury were in a challenging position. But Canterbury settled again in the last quarter and when a piercing break by Yannick de Moubray set up a converted try for Presley Farrance an entertaining job was done.

Canterbury; K.Heatherley, G.Jones, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, A.Orris, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver, Replacements: S.Rogers, Y.de Moubray, O.Frostick, H.Young, P.Farrance

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v Bury St Edmunds - 16 Nov 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Responding To The challenge

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

In last week’s preview I wrote about both squads chomping at the bit to put the previous losses behind us. I feel that the players really brought this to life, scoring a combined total of 99 points over the two games. Not learning from losing is the real crime and we feel that we have exorcised some demons. Our challenge now, for both teams, is to back up these strong performances. We know many teams in the league yo-yo between good and bad performances, but to be at the top end we have to be consistently producing our best.

In the 1st XV’s game against Old Albanians, the real turnaround from Barnes was our attack execution. We accumulated three attacking errors, and six turnovers compared to thirteen and twenty three two weeks ago. That might sound a bit negative, focusing on making less errors, but this allows the players to express themselves with the ball in hand and there were some fantastic performances across the squad.

Bury visit the Marine Travel Ground tomorrow and they sit just three points behind us even though they have two less wins. Another reminder of the importance of bonus points. They have a number of new faces this season and their league position will only improve as they bed in. I think we’re in for an entertaining afternoon of rugby and I am looking forward to seeing the team respond to the challenge.

Those of you who came to see the Pilgrims last week would have been treated to a great afternoon of rugby, the lads coming out 45-7 winners against Beccehamians. We travel with a strong squad to Dover this weekend, where last year’s end to end game pushed us all the way. We will have to be at our best again to come away with the result and the players are up for it

Matt Corker, Head Coach.

Great Performance Says Corker

Posted on | by David Haigh

OLD ALBANIAN 17 CANTERBURY 54

by David Haigh

Head Coach Matt Corker said he was ‘proud of a great performance’ after watching his Canterbury side demolish Old Albanians in an invigorating display of attacking rugby which was rewarded with seven tries. At a ground where the city club last won six years ago the victory also left Corker praising the team’s reaction to their disappointing show in the loss to Barnes last time out as they took an iron grip in the first half and never let it slip. They gave warning with a flying start, building the phases before fly half Frank Reynolds grabbed the first try and showed his well known accuracy with the boot with a fine conversion. Albanians took only a minute to find a score of their own as missed tackles ended with an Alex Noot touch down but the rest of the half belonged entirely to Canterbury. An impressive and dominant pack set up the platform for a free flowing back division and after Reynolds landed a penalty goal full back Kurt Heatherley gathered the restart, set off down the wing and his kick ahead was carried on expertly to the line by Garry Jones. Reynolds was again on target from wide out, then kept the scoreboard ticking with a second penalty goal. When an increasingly stretched home side lost a player to a yellow card Canterbury took full advantage through a catch and drive try from Eoin O’Donoghue. The conversion and a third Reynolds penalty goal saw them reach the break with a 30-5 lead but the one box they still had to tick was a bonus point fourth try. Two minutes into the second half they put that right as Reynolds launched his backs again. Jones was given space, scrum half Tom Williams was there to take the try scoring pass and Reynolds converted. Albanians finally found relief as they exploited a yellow card for Tyler Oliver with tries from wing Alex Ricci and hooker Charlie Fleckney and a Sam Jones conversion. But as soon as the Number eight returned Canterbury hit them again with two scores in as many minutes, Heatherley on the overlap and centre Frank Morgan from close range. The city side’s replacements, with young lock Yannick de Mowbray making his debut, made an impact and late on more quick and precise handling opened the way to a final try from Jones. With Reynolds taking a minor knock, skipper Jamie Stephens awarded himself the goal kicking role and calmly slotted the conversion to round off his team’s all round excellence.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, G.Jones, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, A.Orris, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, S.Rogers, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver. Replacements: A.Cooper, O.Frostick, Y.De Mowbray, C.Thomas, P.Farrance

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v Old Albanian - 9 Nov 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

POOR START PROVES COSTLY

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 13 BARNES 22

by David Haigh

Early errors were to prove costly for an off colour Canterbury who failed to score a point in the second half as they struggled to crack a strong visiting defence. Barnes pounced on mistakes in the first ten minutes to score two of their three tries and although they reached half time only six points in front their shrewd game management helped to earn the win. The omens were not promising for Canterbury when centre Frank Morgan was injured in the pre-match warm-up, forcing a hasty reshuffle of the back division. When the game did get under way Barnes stole the first lineout, won a penalty and skipper Rory Kassapian’s try put them ahead after only three minutes. A dropped ball quickly gave them another foothold and a penalty for a high tackle ended in a driving maul and a try for centre Lewis Jones, converted by Jack Martin. Canterbury had hardly been seen at this point but found a way back after fifteen minutes, building their first real pressure before spreading the attack wide where Kurt Heatherley sent Alfie Orris across in the corner. Frank Reynolds brought more cheer with a conversion from the touchline and it was his boot that promised to open second half opportunities. Before he obliged with two penalty goals, however, there was further trouble. A penalty conceded at the scrum, an area where Barnes mostly had the edge, put Canterbury under the pump again and dragging down a maul illegally on their own line cost seven points from a penalty try. That still left the city team looking slight favourites in the second half and only a great cover tackle denied Garry Jones an early try. Then a turnover seemed certain to bring a score but they blew the chance and in persistent rain, the match developed into an untidy battle of wills. Barnes claimed a good share of territory and Canterbury’s commendable defensive efforts denied them a bonus point try but, in the debit column, they scrambled for ideas in attack. Twelve minutes from the end Martin kicked a simple penalty goal for the visitors to leave the city side needing two scores to grab a win. A lack of bite and an effective strategy in the face of determined tacklers meant the job was beyond them, so they drop to sixth in the National 2 East table.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, T.Williams, G.Jones, W.Waddington, A.Orris, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, S.Rogers, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver. Replacements: N.Morris, D.Herriott, H.Kenny, C.Thomas, T.King

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v Barnes - 26 Oct 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

AN IMPORTANT DAY

Posted on | by David Haigh

SATURDAY PREVIEW

I have spoken in recent weeks about how we are focusing on our performance, doing the things that we are great at repeatedly. Saturday was mixed in this area which ultimately led to us being disappointed. We left with a valuable point and some equally valuable learnings but not the win we wanted so much.

In the first half we showed control and execution to go in ahead and we feel we even missed some opportunities. The learning we must take from the game is: if we want to mix it with the best in the league we need to perform for the duration. After conceding immediately after half time, which then became three tries in twenty minutes, we let the game get away from us. We had some big moments in the second half when, in try scoring situations, we drifted off our plan and failed to convert pressure into points. To win big games we must convert big moments and if we had executed we would have given ourselves a chance to change the day. The tries we did score were of a high calibre and something we can be proud of but conceding six very rarely ends any another way.

We welcome Barnes to the Marine Travel ground this weekend in the final fixture of this eight game block. This is the longest unbroken sequence of games in the season and we know that to feel happy with our opening run we must perform on Saturday. Barnes sit one place above us in the table and will be throwing everything into what will be an important result for both sides.

The Pilgrims turned out in style in their Friday night lights fixture against Deal and Betteshanger, scoring over 38 points for the third time this season. They travel on Saturday to Bromley, who sit in third, with only one loss to their name so far this season. We look to continue Pilgrims unbeaten run but know it won’t come easy.

Matt Corker, Head Coach

Canterbury Challenge Fades

Posted on | by David Haigh

TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS 40 CANTERBURY 24

by David Haigh

A second half onslaught, which, yielded five tries, ended Canterbury’s challenge to the unbeaten league leaders. In the final play of the game the city side salvaged a bonus point with a Garry Jones try, so did not come way empty handed, but Juddians power and tactical nous had by then settled the issue. A solid first half saw Canterbury reach the break five points ahead, suggesting this could be another of the tightly contested affairs which have been the hallmark of this Kent derby fixture over the past two seasons. Two Juddians tries in the first ten minutes after the break changed the mood as they dominated territory, switched to an effective mauling game on the heavy pitch before setting up their attackers. Canterbury made a promising start with a try from prop Ollie Frostick after good lineout work but lost the lead after twenty minutes when Harrison Sims crashed over and Sam Evans converted. The reply came through a blind side break, initiated by scrum half Presley Farrance who was a constant threat, and finished with an Aiden Moss try converted by Frank Reynolds. So far, so good for the hefty number of traveling supporters, but the optimism was quickly dampened. The city side, frustrated by penalties that sometimes seemed questionable, were rocked by tries from the lively Connor Lloyd and Duncan Tout, both converted by Evans. Handling errors crept in as they struggled to re-establish themselves and when flanker Tom Nicoll went in for the bonus point score, this one converted by Tom White, things looked ominous for the city side. It came as a relief when space was opened for Alfie Orris to carry strongly before Eoin O’Donoghue went over the line and Reynolds successful kick cut the home lead to nine. But Juddians had more in the locker. With Canterbury pinned back once again tries from White and Tout, and conversions by Tout and Nicoll, eased them to victory before a yellow card for Lloyd opened the way for Jones to grab a point..

Canterbury: H.Young, G.Jones, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, A.Moss, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, S.Rogers, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver. Replacements: N.Morris, A.Cooper, A.Orris, H.Kenny, T.Williams

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v Tonbridge Juddians - 19 Oct 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton