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It will be an interesting test for the Pilgrims on Saturday as they play their first Counties One Kent league fixture at home to Beccehamians, kick-off 3pm. After their successful promotion campaign last season they find themselves as the only club second team in the higher league. The side will be captained by scrum half Ben Cooper and the squad has a great mix of youth and experience.
SEVENOAKS 2ND 5 CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 17
Twenty three players travelled to Sevenoaks, trying to make a new side gel. With changes throughout the game it was not an easy task for Head Coach, Jon Foster, but with some help from the injured First team player Will Waddington, this was achieved. The players however did not always do what they have been asked to do! From the kick off, the visitors made an error that nearly let Oaks in for a try. Dan Huntley, Sonny Trew-Neville and Tom Halliday’s combination nearly gave Pilgrims the lead and more excellent attacking play seemed likely to result in a score, but not to be. Brad Law tried a little grubber kick and chase, still no luck. A couple of penalties, a few line outs, Pilgrims camped in the opposition twenty two, but still no score. Then on 14 minutes, after a great kick and chase by Halliday, and the resulting scrum, Pilgrims got the ball wide to Max Campbell to speed over but Brad failed with his conversion.Jesse De Vries and Freddie Holland-Oliver came on for Dan Huntley and Will Hunt. It should have opened the flood gates, but Sevenoaks were made of sterner stuff. They proceeded to make it difficult for a talented Canterbury side, so much so, after 30 minutes, a missed tackle saw the home side run through to score, but fail to convert. Half-Time arrived with the sides locked 5-5.An excellent team talk by captain, Ben Cooper, and the introduction of Harry Andrews, Tom Mackenzie and Michael Fankah saw the Pilgrims take back control in the second half, but they could not take advantage of all their possession! Knock-ons, poor passing and a lack of patience meant that after 20 minutes it was still level, and all to play for. Even the return after two years recovering from serious injuries of Will Hunt, Seb Clark and Gus Lister was not enough, but they all got through the game without any problems. There was more frustration when Lister broke free, got the ball to Harry Andrews, but when a try was there for the taking, he knocked on! Then Cameron Macmillan, player of the match, peeled of the back of a rolling maul for an unconverted score. More pressure built, Trew-Neville went over and Lister converted.
The final result was correct, but the Pilgrims have much to work on over the next two weeks before they start the league campaign against Beccehamian on Saturday 16th September at The Marine Travel ground. Come along and watch their quest to win in an all Ist XV team league.
Canterbury Pilgrims achieved Promotion at the first attempt in a new league, Counties 2, made up of 1st XV teams and 4 top level clubs 2nd XV’s, A great achievement. Pilgrims travelled to once mighty Maidstone and needed a bonus point win to stay in second place, and guarantee promotion to Counties 1. A league with only 1st XV’s in, where they will play local sides, Ashford, Thanet and Deal and Betteshanger, hopefully on a Friday night under lights! Pilgrims only just scraped a team together, but still a very good one! The first half was more like a war of attrition! 85% of the time the Pilgrims were playing in the opposition half, but things would not go their way. Some excellent play, some fantastic passing, excellent support, strong tackling and more, but the first points on the board game in first half overtime! A Horrendous head high tackle on Presley Farrance went unseen, and some other decision were not going in favour of the visitors! Just before half-time Maidstone had a player yellow carded for a dangerous tackle, from the penalty Jesse De Vries drove over for a converted try, that he took himself, 0-7 to Pilgrims at half-Time. Adam Malik, who had been having a good game, was injured early in the second half. Ollie Finn immediately scored a try, which Jesse failed to convert, 0-12. Good inter-passing by the visitors started to stretch the home side. Tom Ashley-jones was put away out wide after excellent open play rugby, this time Jesse slotted from out by the touchline, 0-19. James read then had a collision with a Maidstone player, but was deemed to have fouled him! Pilgrims were down to 14 as a Yellow card was shown, James came off with a broken nose! During this time Maidstone scored an excellent try out wide, but could not convert. 5-19 Jack Green came on for Adrian Geddes, and Dan Hill, making a welcome return, came on for James Read. A strong move, called ‘Bulldozer’ saw Alex Evans scores a try, duly converted by Jesse De Vries 5-26. Presley, who had another good game, got the ball to Ollie Finn to score his second try, 5-31. Maidstone rallied in the last few minutes, but could not stop the pilgrims gaining promotion, the home side still need to get a point in their last game to avoid relegation. We wish them well. Canterbury play their last game of the league season this Saturday at home v Old Dunstonians. A win by a massive score, like 80-0 could see them take the title, but as they have lost twice to Dover, second is a fantastic achievement and there is going to be a party after the game to celebrate their achievement. Come along and watch Pilgrims at the Marine travel ground, kick off 3:00, on the 18th.
The Marine Travel Ground is going to be the place to watch top rugby next year with the 1st and 2nd teams both playing at a very good level. If you are a player, perhaps you should think about joining before it is too late!
Won 5-31 (H-T 0-7). Ollie Finn, 10, Jesse De Vries 5+6(11), Tom Ashley-Jones, Alex Evans, 5.
Won 24-8 (H-T 19-3). Eoin O’Dongahue 15, Jesse De Vries 4, Adrian Geddes 5.
The Pilgrims needed to bounce back from the home loss to Dover from last week. Dropping from first to third was not what Canterbury had wanted. This game was so important. With eight
enforced changes is was not going to be easy, 5 in the backs!
The game started well for the home side, Pilgrims putting some good attacking moves together, and early pressure was rewarded with a try scored by Eoin O’Donaghue after good work from Max
Halliday and Adrian Geddes. 5-0, alas Jesse De Vries could not convert.
Park House came straight back at the home side, only good defending kept them out, with excellent tackling from Jake Dengate, throughout the game. Presley Farrance was having an excellent game at scrum half, and Ollie Finn, the ‘supporters player of the day’, played well in a number of positions, as later injuries meant that he had to move around to cover.
Jesse was kicking well for territory, but a few line-outs went begging! Max Halliday went off with a hamstring injury, this will mean his misses the rest of the league season! From a penalty just short of the park House try Line, Eoin drove over for his second try, this time converted by De Vries, 12-0. More park Pressure, who always looked dangerous, resulted in a penalty, which they duly
kicked. 12-3. Just on the stroke of half time Eoin drove through to score his third try for Jesse to convert. At half time the home side lead 19-3. One more try was needed to get the much needed
bonus point.
The second half was a half of errors and scrappy play, the pilgrims spent too much time in their own half defending a hard working Park House team who started this game one place behind in
fourth place. A yellow card to Park, gave Pilgrims the lift they needed. Adrian Geddes, a young player, who has made great progress over the last few weeks, scored an unconverted try, 24-3.
The game was closer that the score was suggesting. From another scrum, an area that Park House were dominating, they broke and scored an unconverted try, 24-8. What seemed like a short
second half ended with a much needed win. A very gutsy team performance, with everyone making an important contribution to the end result. Results elsewhere took Canterbury up to
second, level on Points with local rivals Dover. If both sides remain undefeated in their last two games, Two East Kent sides could be going up to Counties One.
This coming weekend the Pilgrims travel to play Maidstone 1stXV, for another must win game.
The big East Kent derby went to Dover Sharks 1st Team , who devoured the Pilgrims from Canterbury, in front of nearly 400 hundred supporters and a drummer! The real winner of this game was intangible, East Kent Rugby!
The long awaited local derby between the best home record, and best defence, versus the best attacking record in the league. The best side, Dover, won on the evening, in front of a fantastic Dover crowd!
A feisty start, saw Jack Weaver scoring a great try within the first minute, converted by Tom Halliday, to give Pilgrims a 7-0 lead. 6 minutes later, Ex Canterbury Captain, Martyn Beaumont dodged through to score a converted try to level, 7-7. Alarm bells! Jack Weaver got on the end of another pass and managed to get free and drive for the try line, he was tackled, but managed to regain his feet and rolled, got up, and scored, a try, this time Tom missed, 12-7. Almost immediately, the Sharks counter attacked, and a superb cross field kick by Beaumont saw their right wing, Tom Sayers, catch and dive in for a great try out wide, unconverted, 12-12.
With 20 minutes gone, the game was going backwards and forwards, the pilgrims making errors, and the Sharks pressurising. Dover then scored a converted try to take the lead 12-19. With 5 minutes to go before half-time after consistent pressure, Will McColl drove over from close range to score, Tom Halliday converted, and the teams went in at half-time 19-19. Three tries each, a bonus point in the offing! Game on.
The second half was a learning lesson for the Pilgrims, while the Visitors continued to dominate, almost! The home side tried to compete with the away side, and not listen to the referee, who was actually having a good game, but Canterbury were not listening. During a 20 minute nightmare, they went down to 12 players, with 3 yellow cards! This did not help their cause. They were also trying too hard! If only they would listen to their coaches!
It all went downhill when Captain Harry Andrews went off injured, then, soon after, from a silly penalty given away, which Dover kicked from 40 yards out, the Pilgrims found themselves behind, 19-22. Canterbury worked hard to get back, but the Yellow cards kept coming.. Then then Beaumont, did a lovely kick for Tom ‘wonderboy’ Sayers to pick up and dive over for a great try out wide, 19-27. Almost immediately, Player of the match, Sayers did it again, another superb try out wide, his hat-trick, unconverted, the pilgrims could not cope with his pace, 19-32.
The Pilgrims still playing with less than 15 players tried to fight back, but it was like osmosis, Dover struck again! 19-39, surely that was game over! Back game the pilgrims, Adam Malik, scoring his second try of the season, this time converted by Jack Weaver, 26-39. Then Will ‘Bacon’ McColl scored his second try of the day. Could Halliday convert to get a second bonus point? Alas no, the game ended 31-39. The top three positions are now up for grabs with Pilgrims, Dover, and Sevenoaks all within one point. Three games to go, and it looks like bonus points will make the difference.
Thank you to all those that came and supported both teams, you guys made it a great night for all, what an advert for East Kent, and Night games! and to the ball boys who helped to find ball in the darkness!
The Pilgrims have to try and regroup before this coming weekend, when they play 4th placed Park House, at the Marine Travel ground at 2:00, before the Foxes take on Barnes at 3:00. Good day to come to the home of Rugby.
View match photos taken by Ken Matcham – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=100081190308473&set=a.200257012690641
A very good Pilgrims team travelled to Westcombe Park to take on the best side that Combe had put out all season! A poor start by the visitors did not help their cause. A knock on from the kick off, followed by a penalty for “holding on” resulted in an easy kick for the home side, who lead 3-0 within a minute! Shortly after this, the Pilgrims gave another penalty away, this time from a high tackle, this time Combe missed, still 3-0.
An incredible kick for touch went into touch by the corner flag, but from the poor throw in by the home side, Canterbury were able to clear their lines up to the twenty-two. Combe came back again, as Canterbury could not get to grips with the game, the wet weather, the slippery ball and everything else! More pressure. After a quarter of an hour ‘Park’ got another penalty for Offside, and this time they made it 6-0.
The pilgrims were still trying to get themselves into the game, nothing was going their way, and some of the decisions were harsh to say the least! After a good move by the visitors and a good lineout, from which the drive nearly forced a try, Combe repelled the attack and cleared their lines. On 26 minutes, the Captain, Vaughn Meredith, went on one of his famous solo dart and dodging runs to score, Olly Ashley-Jones converted and the lead changed, 6-7 to the visitors.
The game was getting spicy, mainly because the referee could not keep up with the fast pace of the game, not totally his fault, and both sides were brought together and spoken to. Lots of indifferent play by both sides. Charlie Kingsman, who had a great game, kicked and chased a loose ball for 70 metres, but the bounce was not favourable. More pressure by the visitors followed. Then Tom Halliday received a yellow, with 4 minutes to go before half-time. The Pilgrims were having a good spell and more pressure near the try line resulted in another pick and drive, this time by Luke Webber, who got over the line, for Olly to convert and the visitors went in at half time 6-14 up.
A ragged second half followed, the pilgrims could not throw straight at line outs, which was proving costly. Their scrum was second best all day to the home side, and from one of many that they lost, Combe peeled off the back and scored an easy try, which they duly converted, 13-14. Another penalty followed for not rolling away, this was kicked and the home side took the lead back 16-14! Was this going to be a banana skin game?
Yet more penalties and more poor line outs. Midway through the half, Luke Webber scored his second try, after a succession of ‘pick up and goes’. Charlie Kingsman converted, Pilgrims back in front 16-21. Then the pilgrims got two penalties within minutes from a very kickable position, but Kingsman missed both. At this point Canterbury were in control of the game. A great move involving the backs sent Tom Ashley-Jones away, but he was crashed into touch a few yards short. The home side kicked out, Luke Webber caught the ball, and then went on an amazing, out of this world run to score out wide, for his Hat-Trick try, this time Charlie Kingsman did not miss, 16-28, bonus point for four tries, and the win to stay top of the table, by one point.
Pilgrims have to play Dover, 3rd and Park House, 4th next. They start this Friday 24th at 7:30 v Dover at the Marine travel ground. Come along and watch the best away side in the league and play the side with the best home record. Dover are the league highest points scorers, Canterbury are second. Promises to be a great night out, come and have a saucy Flo Curry.
Scorers, Luke Webber 15, Vaughn Meredith 5, Olly Ashley-Jones and Charlie Kingsman both 4 points.
Won 8-62 (H-T 3-17).
The pilgrims travelled to Sidcup at the weekend to continue their charge towards the league title. Another must win game saw the home side start well and were 3-0 up within the first three minutes from a penalty in front of the posts. Pilgrims came straight back with some good attacking play, but just could not get things going! A mixture of good and bad. Pilgrims won a scrum, against the head, a great drive by New Father, Alex Evans, to get the ball to Captain Dan Gill, who showed a great dummy pass, to cross the try line to score, only for Olly Ashley-Jones to crash the ball against the upright, 3-5 with thirteen minutes gone.
Sidcup fought back, and some poor defending allowed them to make good ground and to score what they thought was a try in the far corner, but a brilliant bit of defending stopped a certain try. Adam Malik came on for Will McColl. Olly was making some probing kicks, and getting good bounces, causing the home side problems, Vaughn Meredith stole the ball, again, and dodged through for a try, this time converted by Olly, 3-12 Pilgrims were still not in top gear, but they were wearing down the home side.
Then a moment that Presely Farrance will not want to remember on his debut. He was held down at the back of a ruck, and on getting free he lashed out at the culprit, with an open hand, and received a straight red card, with less than 30 minutes on the clock. A great pity, as he was having a really good game, someone to watch for in the future, once he has served his ban. Canterbury, would have to play 50 minutes with 14 players! In the remaining time left before half-time Adam Malik scored his first try for the Pilgrims, but Olly missed the conversion, 3-17. The half-time team talk was going to be important.
A great second half team performance then ensued. A great run by Vaughn Meredith saw his get the ball to Tom Halliday for the first of his four tries, this one under the posts so Olly had an easy conversion, 2-24, and this got Pilgrims the bonus point they needed. More pressure from the visitors, Meredith playing well, Will ‘Bacon’ McColl making ground whenever he got the ball, they just could not get hold of him, it took three players at least to stop him, so gaps opened up. Luke Webber went on another of his rampaging runs and slipped the ball to Vaughn Meredith for his second try, duly converted 3-31. Sidcup scored an unconverted try, 8-31.
Brandon Dunkerley went on a surging run, passed to Ross Howard who gave it to Halliday, try number two, after an excellent run, unconverted, 8-36. It was then Olly’s turn to go on a great run, but he was tackled by their star played, who must have stopped at least 6 tries with superb tackling, on the twenty-two. Halliday got his hat-trick after a superb piece of work from second half star, Ollie Finn, converted by Olly Ashley-Jones, 8-43.
Luke Webber, the supporters ‘man of the match’, then scored a try, converted by Olly, 8-50. Jake Dengate was running the extra mile to support lone runners on many occasions, this proved vital at times, he, Sam Rogers, Jack Weaver and Jake Upward were all have good games, a true team performance with a player down! But it was not over, the away side piled on the pressure, Tom Halliday got his fourth, Olly converted, 8-57. Alex Evans went on another bulldozing run and gave the ball to Ross Howard to score out wide, this time not converted, 8-62, and the Pilgrims stay at the top of the league, one point ahead of Sevenoaks, with five to play.
This weekend they travel to 8th placed Westcombe Park before they play Dover 1st XV on Friday 24th under lights at the Marine Travel ground, at 7:30 in the evening.
Scorers:- Olly Ashley-Jones 12pts, Tom Halliday 20 pts, Vaughn Meredith 10 pts, Dan Gill, Adam Malik, Luke Webber and Ross Howard 5pts.
Pilgrims 27 – 12 Sevenoaks 2nds
The biggest match of the season happened at Merton lane on Saturday 28th January. Sevenoaks(1st) played Canterbury (2nd) in the Counties league 2. The visitors started well, their pack destroyed the Pilgrims pack in the first two scrums, that did not happened again! Top of the league Sevenoaks looked good, Canterbury’s defence looked solid.
After ten minutes there was nothing in the game, both sides looked strong. After 20 minutes, Adrian Geddes tries to intercept a pass, but knocked on, a yellow card came his way, would this swing the balance of play to the visitors?
After 26 minutes, the home side with 14 men, saw the visitors give away a penalty 35 yards out, Olly Ashley-Jones, kicked, 3-0. Good passing by the home side, saw them get the ball out wide for Jack Weaver to go over for an excellent try, converted by Olly Ashley-Jones 10-0.
After 34 minutes more pressure from the Pilgrims, more good inter-play and Luke Webber crashed through for an unconverted try, Olly hitting the upright, 15-0 at half-time.
The Mighty Oaks started the second half strongly, they missed a penalty. The Pilgrims went on another counter attack, and Luke Webber scored his second try of the day, which Olly failed to convert, 20-0. Great tackles by Dengate, King, and Evans, Passing by Calder, and defensive control, from Kingsman and Annakie were going to be the key if the Pilgrims were going to win.
Luke then got sent to the sin bin, Sevenoaks opted for a scrum, well defended by the home side. But the pressure built, and soon the Mighty Oaks scored, but the conversion hit the upright, 20-5. It seemed a harsh try, as first it looked like a foot was out of play, and then, as the Sevenoaks player went to touch the ball down, while facing upwards and trying to put the ball over his head, the ball came out of his hands, but the try was given, and converted! 20-12. Max Halliday went off with a pulled hamstring making the tackle, and his brother Tom came on.
At this point the game was on a knife edge! The Pilgrims were 4 points behind in the league, with a game in hand. They needed to score 4 tries against the visitors, something that no other side had done this season. They also needed to win by more than seven points. The next score was going to be crucial.
Charlie Kingsman, first game back after a major hand injury, was playing a blinder! Back hand passes, great tackles, dummies, and more! He got the ball to Tom Halliday who powered over, for Olly to convert, 27-12. A great fight back by the Pilgrims. But still the home side made errors. Silly chat, Silly penalties, could still let the visitors in! But great open play, and a few more silly penalties saw the home side win 27-12 and go top of the league for the first time this season.
Harry Andrews, Man of the Match and captain, lead by example. The whole team played well, and all the squad should be pleased with their success. Selection next week will be even harder now, 9 regular players did not get selected this week, due to the strength within the squad, this is where you find you team players. See you at training guys!
There is still a long way to go, but at least Pilgrims control their destiny. This weekend they travel to Southwark lancers, bottom of the league. They still have to play Sidcup and Westcombe Park, both away. Then of course there is the big local derby v Dover, under lights, on the 24th February, at 7:30 a game not to miss. SEE YOU THERE.
Olly Ashley-Jones 7, Luke Webber 10, Jack Weaver, Tom Halliday 5.
Won 51-5 (H-T 31-0)
Olly Ashley-Jones 5+6, Sam Rogers 10, Tom Ashley-Jones 10, Will Calder 10, Adrian Geddes, James Read 5.
This game saw the return of some of the clubs’ stalwarts from the past! Three national one players, and it was great to see their contribution.
Within one minute the Pilgrims had made a statement, Sam Rogers got the ball to Tom Ashley-Jones who scored an unconverted try, 5-0. The visitors lost a player through injury just after, and then the Sam Rogers road show started for real! He scored his first try, converted by Olly Ashley-Jones, 12-0. Then a great run, with a sublime back pass from Sam Rogers to try scorer Will Calder, and an Olly Ashley-Jones conversion saw the home side take a 19-0 lead within 17 minutes, Rogers involved in all three tries.
Then followed perhaps the team try of the day, poetry in motion, involving most of the team, with Tom Ashley-Jones scoring his second try, converted by Olly, 26-0. The Pilgrims were in control, but the difference in ability caused issues! Hastings received a yellow card for kicking a player on the ground. Sam Rogers went on a great solo run with a number of dummies, a try nearly followed but was brilliantly help up by the visitors. Another good pattern of play saw Olly Ashley-Jones score an unconverted try, and the home side went into half time 31-0 up. Five tries to one, and the bonus point secured.
Another excellent move by the home side saw Adrian Geddes score an unconverted try, 36-0. Captain Harry Andrews, who put in an excellent shift, got the ball to Sam Rogers to score his second try, and consolidate his ‘man of the match’ award, 41-0. James Read was making inroads with some great runs. Champagne rugby was being played and Will Calder, who was also mentioned in dispatches by the home supporters, who were excellent, walked in a try, literally, but again, not converted, 46-0.
Hastings and Bexhill, to their credit, never gave up and were rewarded with a late try 46-5. James Read, making his first appearance of the season, after recovering from injury, ran through to score and make it 51-5. The pilgrims, due to an unexpected defeat for Dover moved into clear second, four points off the leaders Sevenoaks, but with a game in hand.
Next week the Pilgrims play Old Dunstonians at Simon Langton Astro at 3:00, why not come along and watch? If you really are a rugby fan then put the 24th February in you diary, Friday night under lights, Pilgrims v Dover, the giant East Kent rivals will go head to head, in an attempt to win the title.
Gillingham Anchorians 10 Canterbury Pilgrims 27
Pilgrims stepped up their challenge for the Counties Kent 2 title with a solid victory which lifted them to second place in the league table. They took an early lead with a try from Tom Ashley-Jones and were in front for the rest of the game. Will Calder and Jake Upward made the try, converted by Olli Finn . Within four minutes poor defending by Pilgrims allowed the home side to get the ball out wide and score. In the strong winds a kick was never going over. What came to mar the game was reckless tackling which too often went unpunished and with it came injuries. Rob Knott was the first to suffer but more serious was the damage to Alex Evans as he crashed over for a try in the 20th minute but had his afternoon cut short by a hospital visit. Will Calder, a young man with lots of potential, added a third Canterbury score to take the half time lead to 17-5 The first twenty minutes of the second half were awful, mistakes, stoppages, even the referee got injured. Then Eoin O’Donaghue received a lovely inside ball from Ross Howard and side-stepped the full back to score, Ollie missed the conversion but the bonus point had been secured. Anchorians kicked out to relieve pressure, took a quick throw in but it was intercepted by alert full back jack Weave who set his backs in motion. He then has looped around to take the ball and run through to score try number five. The last five minutes saw a yellow card handed to a home player, the first card of a game where arguably there could have been more. Ironically, it was Pilgrims who were then punished as Calder and Dan Gill were sent to the sin bin. Canterbury must learn to keep quiet, play what is in front of them and not question the official. Anchorians took advantage with a consolation try.
Canterbury: A.Malik, E.O’Donoghue, J.Everatt, R.Knott, D.Gill, O.Finn, H.Furneaux, A.Evans, W.Calder, R.Howard, A.Geddes, J.Upward, V.Meredith, T.Ashley-Jones, J.Weaver. Replacements: B.Dunkerley, O.Ashley-Jones, F Holland-Oliver.