Category: 2nd XV

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.

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Images may be subject to copyright – Ken Matcham

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.

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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.

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Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

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 20^th 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.

Pilgrims push for Counties Kent 2 honours was boosted in emphatic style as they ran in nine tries and extended their winning run to four games. Only one point now separates them from second placed Dover who they are scheduled to meet at home in two weeks time. In this latest win the city side were looking to make a statement against a team who beat them in the opening game of the season and after an even first quarter, they went about the business in ruthless fashion. Luke Webber got an early catch and drive try but Vigo, kicking effectively for territory, were five points ahead by the fifteen minute mark through two unconverted touchdowns. It was, however, a situation they could not sustain. The first of fly half Ollie Ashley-Jones’ hat trick of tries, which he also converted, recaptured the lead and after that Pilgrims pace, clever handling, and adventure gave them increasing control. Vigo got a yellow card for a late challenge, Ollie Finn and outstanding flanker Harvey Furneaux punished it with tries and at 24-10 the game was slipping away from the visitors at the half way mark. They were given a taste of things to come in the opening minute of the second half when full back Jack Weaver’s penetrating run set up position before Adrian Geddes claimed Pilgrims fifth try. With the city pack in powerful control of scrums and much else it became a holding operation for the visitors. There were frequent injury stoppages, one to repair a good referee who happily survived without damage, but the serious blows were increasingly to the Vigo defence as Furneaux grabbed his second try and Eoin O’Donoghue showed a fine burst of speed to join him on the scoresheet. That try sandwiched two more by Ashley-Jones as he topped off Pilgrims fine afternoon and added three more conversions to take them past the half century and bring his personal haul to 23 points.

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The Canterbury Pilgrims inflicted the first home defeat on Park Hosue for two and a half years, to consolidate third place in the league at the half-way point.

Canterbury started well, but after giving away a silly penalty they found themselves 3-0 down within minutes. Pilgrims then, with the help of good kicking from the hand  by Alex Williams, won a succession of line outs and from one of these Will ‘Bacon’ McColl drove over for Ollie Ashley-Jones to convert.  With Pilgrims dominating the scrums and Park House receiving a yellow card for a no arms in the tackle it became one way traffic but the home side held firm. Alex ‘Man of the Match’ Evans was making immense tackles, he and James Everett were also making good yardage in the drives. Then, on his debut, Ross Gladish dodged through, for Ollie to convert, 3-14. Alex Evans was taken out in the air and the home side went down to thirteen, with another yellow card.  Good runs by Jack Weaver,  and a Ross Howard kick chased by in form winger Adrian Geddes nearly produced a try but Pilgrims failed to score while the home side had two players off the field! James Everett then received a yellow for collapsing a maul ans the home side, back to full strength,  pressurised the visitors and scored a converted try before half-time to make it 10-14. Game on. The second half started in a dramatic way as Canterbury chased down a long kick, the bounce favoured them and Max Halliday scored for Ollie to convert, 10-21. Within minutes the Pilgrims won a penalty, duly converted by Ollie who next made a great interception and ran in a solo try. He missed the conversion but the lead was now 19 points. The game took another shift when Ollie Finn got a yellow for a neck roll, quickly followed by Freddie Holland-Oliver for a high tackle. It was Pilgrims who were now down to thirteen but it did not halt their momentum. A long kick was chased by Harry Andrews and Max Halliday and between them they won the ball for Max to score and Ollie Ashley-Jones converted. Park House hit back with an unconverted try but there was no stopping Jack Weaver, having another excellent game a full back, scoring a rollover try to push his side past the 40 point mark. Park’s consolation was the game’s final try after Harvey Furneaux received a yellow card for a high tackle,

Dover have gone top of Counties Kent 2, with Sevenoaks second and the Pilgrims third. December 17^th will See Dover come to the Marine Travel ground, don’t miss it, 3:00 kick off. Book your lunch on line to see this titanic struggle between two East Kent rugby rivals and friends. Next week Vigo come to play, 3:00 kick off. See you there.

A bonus point victory saw Pilgrims maintain their challenge to the leaders and consolidate their third place in Counties Kent 2. The winning margin may have been comfortable but Canterbury were made to work hard by ‘Combe before stretching away with two converted tries in the last ten minutes. Four first half tries put them in a strong position despite the visitors controlling much of the territory but they had to dig in after the break. Pilgrims took an early lead as they intercepted in their own half and Ollie Ashley-Jones scored and converted his own try. The visitors levelled matters with a catch and drive score and Canterbury’s poor discipline, punished by a mountain of penalties, hobbled their attack. When they did break free their extra pace told and the elusive Jack Weaver made inroads before Number Eight Luke Webber got the first of his two touchdowns. Weaver scored the third try after a scorching run from wing Adrian Geddes and in the final minute of the half a tapped penalty saw Webber plunge over again. With Ashley -Jones kicking flawlessly from the tee Pilgrims were 28-7 ahead and in control. ‘Combe responded positively after the break and a chip and chase try, which was converted, put them back in the picture. Pressure now built on a Pilgrims side which had lost fly half Liam Browne to injury and they had plenty to do in defence. They passed the test and then came that late surge with Tom Williams, in sharp form after a long injury lay-off, setting up a try for Tom Ashley-Jones. Brother Ollie, who ended up with a haul of seventeen points, made the break which saw Williams score the final try.

Pilgrims: J.Weaver, T.Ashley-Jones, A.Williams, J.Upward, A.Geddes, L.Browne, O.Ashley-Jones, A.Malik, B.Dunkerley, W.McColl, D.Gill, R.Knott, O.Finn, B.Howard, L.Webber, Replacements: T.Williams, S.Rogers, J.Everett

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Images may be subject to copyright – Ken Matcham