Category: 2nd XV

ASHFORD 0 CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 19

by John Mitchell

On very cold, damp winter’s days like this league position and form goes out of the window and so it proved as the unbeaten Pilgrims had to grind out victory. In the process they scored three unanswered tries, were excellent in defence but missed out on a bonus point for the first time this season. They started well, with fast tempo and a try within minutes. Great all round backs play saw full back Gus Lister join the line and sprint over for the touchdown but Tom McMann failed to convert. Within minutes Gus went close again with another great run and there was continued pressure as Alex Evans and Harvey Furneaux tested the home defence. Scores, however, were elusive as Pilgrims were sucked into Ashford’s tactics, lost ball in contact and made poor decisions. The home side were not short of possession either but could do nothing to break a resolute Canterbury defence where Jake Dengate set the standard with his heavy hits. That early try was the only score of the first half but the team regrouped and came out firing after the break. From the off veteran prop Dan Gill scored a trade mark try, wrestling over from close range, and Tom McMann duly obliged with the conversion. The game continued to be riddled with mistakes and Canterbury straying from the game plan. Then with fifteen minutes to go a penalty kicked to touch, a line-out and an excellent push over try for Brandon Dunkerley – his first of the season – settled the result. McMann converted and there was still enough time left to earn that four try bonus point. But that was not going to happen against a stubborn Ashford side who took control of the set scrums. A shut out away from home is always good, but Pilgrims could have played so much better. There was little to warm us on a chilly day but the result sees Canterbury take a nine point lead at the top of Counties 1 Kent.
Pilgrims: G.Lister, J.Weaver, J.Richardson, S.Trew-Neville, A.Geddes, T.McMann, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, B.Dunkerley, D.Gill, W.Hunt, T.Mackenzie, J.Dengate, H.Furneaux, A.Evans. Replacements: H.Andrews, J.Everratt, H.Valldares
Next game this coming weekend is at home v Bromley at 2:00pm

CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 43 CROWBOROUGH 10

by David Haigh

Billed as the Match of the Day between the only two unbeaten sides in Counties 1 Kent it ended in a decisive victory for league leaders Pilgrims. A Crowborough side which arrived at Merton Lane with an impressive winning run of 20 games, stretching back to last season, dominated the first quarter but then had no answer to Canterbury’s pace and their power in the loose. In a purple patch, fifteen minutes either side of half time, they scored four tries and seldom gave the visitors another look-in. It had been a test of Pilgrims defence until the 27th minute when they finally got their hands on the ball from a clearance kick. Wing Sonny Trew-Neville made an elusive run, full back Gus Lister finished off with the try and Tom McMann converted from wide out. That wiped out the seven points Crowborough had in the bank, from a fine individual try and conversion by their fly half, and before half time Pilgrims had scored two more. The backs produced the break and accurate handling for Jack Weaver to touch down and when the visitors collapsed a maul the penalty cost them a lineout and a pick and go try for Adrian Geddes. McMann converted both to open a fourteen point gap and two minutes after the break Pilgrims stamped their authority on the game even further. Another penalty led to a close range try from skipper Alex Evans and Crowborough were stranded. The one area they came to control was the set scrums but a tolerant referee did not punish Pilgrims heavily and it only cost them a penalty goal. In the final quarter it was all Canterbury with tries from prop Freddy Holland-Oliver, converted by McMann, great creative work by the backs for Weaver’s second and, in the closing minute, a joyful finish from lock Jesse De Vies rewarded his all round effort. .

Pilgrims: G.Lister, J.Weaver, T.Halliday, B.Law, S.Trew-Neville. T.McMann, P.Farrance. A.Malik, B.Dunkerley, F.Holland-Oliver, L.Webber, J.De Vries, J.Dengate, T.Mackenzie, A.Evans. Replacements: A.Gedddes, D.Gill, H.Valldares

Charlton Park 16 Canterbury Pilgrims 50

by John Mitchell

Although the unbeaten Pilgrims started well, with Harvey Furneaux darting through for a try converted by Tom McMann within the first two minutes, it was followed by a period full of errors, lack of concentration and penalties conceded. Park’s Alex Miller, once a Canterbury player, made them pay with two penalty goals. However, it was a penalty against the home side that led to a second try as Jake Dengate darted over from a lineout and McMann, in great kicking form, landed the second of his six conversions. Then Presley Farrance’s mis-timed tackle earned him a yellow card and from the penalty Miller was on target again. Just before half time Jake Dengate, who was having a fine game, was illegally denied a probable score and McMann’s penalty goal saw Pilgrims to an eight point lead at the break. The second half was a different story as Canterbury took control. Within minutes a very good team move saw Farrance weave through to score under the posts and as Pilgrims pressure built the Park defence could not stop Alex Evans crashing over the line. Next it was a 50 yard run from the in-form Furneaux which set up position for the fifth try. The home defence proved solid, held the ball up on three or four occasions, but finally Adam Malik plunged over for the only unconverted try of the day. The conversion attempt was charged down, something you do not see that often. Pilgrims wanted to keep a clean sheet in the second half but Charlton Park would not lie down. They worked tirelessly and deserved the converted try which made the scoreline 36-16. But that sparked the Pilgrims into life again. They shrugged off a yellow card for Furneaux and ran the ball from one end of the pitch to the other. Farrance sold a lovely dummy to score under the posts then immediately McMann did the most delicate of chips, Gus Lister sprinted through, picked up in one hand and raced away to claim the final try. Pilgrims sit top of the league having played eight and won eight. This Saturday they play Crowborough, who are in second place, and are undefeated. Come and watch this top of the table clash. The Bar is open and food is being served.

Date for your diary, December Friday 15th evening kick off, under lights v local rivals Thanet Wanderers. Don’t miss.

CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 43 DOVER 14

by John Mitchell

When these two teams met in Counties 2 last season Dover inflicted a double over the Pilgrims and the determination to not let that happen again underlined this impressive display. Pilgrims dominated from the start and an early break saw full back Jack Weaver cross the line wide out and that opening try was soon followed by a second from flanker Harvey Furneaux. Neither score was converted but as more pressure followed Presley Farrance dummied from a 5 metre scrum, went blind side and dived over for the first of his three tries and this time Tom McMann added the goal points. Pilgrims totally controlled the first half, in very wet and windy conditions, and had what would prove to be a winning 17-0 margin. Early in the second half the home side got their fourth touchdown, which earned them their seventh consecutive bonus point, as the lively Farrance darted through to make it 22-0. With the pack dominating there were significant contributions from Brandon Dunkerley, a hooker playing like a number seven, and powerful prop Will McColl. It was an excellent performance from a young man trying to make his way up the ladder while McColl was enjoying some great runs. From one of these he drove his frame through and over for a converted try. However, Dover would not give up and continued to make Canterbury work hard in the horrible conditions. But they could not prevent Furneaux getting his second try, McMann converting, before my man of the match, Presley, proved that Elvis in not dead and having got out of his sick bed to play, scored his third try. A 40 yard kick, chase and Olympic class sprint catching out the defence, saw him get to the ball first with a great dive and then slide into the cars parked behind the end zone. He came up unscathed and McMann converted to make it 43-0. That should have been it, but Dover would not lie down. A try was given, when the home side thought they had held the ball up! It was converted by former Canterbury man Martyn Beaumont. In the last play of the game, Dover kicked cross field for Harry Moore to score out wide and Beaumont again converted. The Pilgrims unbeaten seven match run sees them stay top of Counties 1 Kent; Dover drop to ninth. A great team performance. Next Saturday the Pilgrims travel to Charlton Park and there is room on the coach if anyone would like to come along and support.

Pilgrims: J.Weaver, G.Lister, B.Law, T.Halliday, A.Geddes T.McMann, P.Farrance, A.Malik, B.Dunkerley, W.McColl, J.De Vries, L.Webber, J.Dengate, H.Furneaux, A.Evans. Replacements: D.Gill, E.Lusher, H.Valldares

DEAL & BETTESHANGER LIONS 21 CANTERBURY PILGRMS 32

by John Mitchell

It all started with the minibus stuck in a field! But that’s a story for another day, sorry.

This East Kent derby game started well for Pilgrims, wing Garry Jones being put away for a great try in the first five minutes, converted by Tom McMann, but in wet and windy conditions it was not easy for the kickers. Former Canterbury fly half Ollie Best ,for Lions, and McMann were both off target before Tom found his range with a penalty and made it 10-0. That didn’t last long as Pilgrims infringements at breakdown and scrum were punished with two Best penalty goals. Play, inevitably, was scrappy in the conditions and Canterbury were allowing the home side to dictate matters. But when opportunity came Pilgrims struck. A penalty 20 metres out saw Luke Webber tap and go and the seas just parted for him as he ran through to the posts for a try converted by McMann. Still, Canterbury were giving silly penalties away, again for coming in from the side, and Best duly obliged to make it 9-17 at half-time. Yellow cards played a part after the break. The Lions Number 5 was the first to go and more pressure from Canterbury saw McMann make it 9-20 from yet another penalty. When Will Hunt was sin binned for chat the Lions opted for a scrum, broke away with the help of two missed tackles and scored between the posts. Best converted. With only four points in it was it going to be squeaky bum time for the Pilgrims? However, it was now the side showed its resilience. From open play Sonny Trew-Neville ran an absolutely superb line and offloaded for Tom Halliday to score and McMann converted. Surely they would go on to win! Still the home side caused problems, but Pilgrims held out and then landed a decisive blow with a close range try by prop Will McColl which earned the bonus point. The hosts are not the sort of team to give up, pressed to the end and had the last word with an unconverted try. The final whistle could not come soon enough for Canterbury in this hard fought victory which takes their record to six wins from six, all with a bonus point, and retains their leadership of Counties 1 Kent.

Pilgrims next meet local rivals Dover at home on November 4th, kick-off 2pm. Both these sides were promoted last season, so it promises to be a great game, regardless of current league position or form.

CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 52 DARTFORDIANS 7

The unbeaten Pilgrims unleashed a second half storm of 40 points as they consolidated their lead at the top of the Counties 1 Kent league table. After an untidy first half in which they dominated possession but were restricted to two tries they cut loose against a Dartfordians side that came to Merton Lane as one of Canterbury’s potential challengers but could do little to prevent their heaviest defeat of the season. There were too many errors in the early stages for either side to make an impression but Pilgrims got under way after a powerful break by centre Morgan Dayes led to a try for wing Joe Rumsey. They had to wait until two minutes before the interval before a second score came, this time a close quarter drive from prop Dan Gil converted by Brad Law. There had been little flow to a game punctuated by frequent injury stoppages and penalty awards but on the restart Pilgrims threw the switch. Two tries in the opening five minutes from Will Hunt and Harvey Furneaux brought a bonus point and set the pattern as Canterbury’s pack took charge and Darfordians could only try to limit the damage. A charged down kick gave Pilgrims their next chance and the powerful Luke Webber went over. Dayes hacked on a loose ball before scrum half Hector Valldares got the sixth try, quickly followed by a second from Furneaux. The visitors did break through to create an overlap and a converted try before replacement wing Fady Sheta made the last Pilgrims touchdown, courtesy of Max Halliday’s break, and Law added his sixth successful goal kick.

Pilgrims: M.Halliday, A.Geddes, M.Dayes, B.Law, J.Rumsey, W.Waddington, H.Valldares, A.Malik, B.Dunkerley, P.Holland, W.Hunt, L.Webber, T.Mackenzie, H.Furneaux, A.Evans. Replacements: D.Gill, F.Holland-Oliver, F.Sheta