Canons extend unbeaten run

BROMLEY 2nd 13 CANTERBURY CANONS 29

The Canons travelled to Bromley looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and get one back against the club who had taken that badge from the Pilgrims 2 weeks earlier.

The game was evenly matched in the opening quarter, with the Canons absorbing pressure from Bromley in the midfield. After finally getting some possession and instantly working their way into the Bromley 22, there was some good phase play by the forwards , eventually creating enough space for Henry Carruthers to snipe through and score. The game repeated itself after the kick off with Canterbury’s defensive effort stopping every attempt Bromley threw at them, and when the Canons eventually took control of the ball, on the next entry to the Bromley 22, the same result was achieved with Carruthers sniping from close range. Bromley struck back with a rolling maul, but in the last the last play of the half, Canterbury built some good phase play, allowing full back Liam Browne to score out wide.

The second half was a scrappy affair, with knock-ons and penalties taking over. Canterbury were often on the wrong side of these, but due to an immense defensive effort, it took Bromley 25 minutes to eventually break through and score the first points of the half, crashing over from short range after a lineout on the 5m. Canterbury responded a minute later, with Semi Adewole taking a kick return 15m inside of the Canterbury half. He ran through one Bromley player, stepped quite a few more before having the pace to beat another around the outside and score in the corner to get the try bonus point. Canterbury held out strong defensively for the last 10 minutes of the half and deny Bromley any opportunity to score any league points from the game.

A big shout out goes to Mark Stone and Captain Ben Jones, playing out of position and stepping into the front row for this fixture, ensuring the Canons’ perfect start to the season continues.

Match Report – Canterbury 3rd XV vs Cranbrook 2nd XV

Canterbury 3s sealed the league win with a hard fought victory over a fired up and skillful Cranbrook side.

Cranbrook had beaten Canterbury on the opening game of the season at their ground and were in the running to win the league if they could beat Canterbury and deny them a bonus point.
The home side found space on the outside early in the game, with Sam Merrell gliding over from fullback for the opening score. But ill discipline gave Cranbrook field position and the visitors capitalised with a converted try and a penalty to take them ahead.
Canterbury made the most of the possession they were able to get, however. Ollie Simpson made a half break down the left and put Barney Howard into space, and the centre was able to cut inside 3 defenders and score under the posts. An arcing run by Alex Williams after great hands from Harry Jackson didn’t quite result in a try, but soon after Ben Waite wriggled free and dotted down in the left corner giving the home side a 15-10 platform at half time.
After the break Canterbury put themselves under pressure with repeated penalties given away, but fierce defence and breakdown work by Dan Mills and Jack Waite kept Cranbrook at bay. The pace and handling of the city side gave them plenty of opportunities and paid dividends before long. Slick passing put Mark Stone in the corner, and a sneaky tap and go saw Alex Williams slip through. Cranbrook still threatened, but the game was finally put to bed when a break by Jake Upward led to Dan Gill putting his famous sidestep to good use and scoring by the posts on the final play of the game.
Final score 32-10.
Season record: Played 18, won 15, lost 3.

Match Report – Sevenoaks 4th XV vs Canterbury 3rd XV

By John Scurr

Sevenoaks 4th 11pt, Canterbury 3rds 15pts

Canterbury 3rds make a second half comeback to stay top of their league against a strong Sevenoaks side.

The city side had a torrid first half unable to contain Sevenoaks conceding penalties and a well taken try to go in at halftime with an eleven-point deficit. Whatever the team talk was at halftime seemed to do the trick.

The city side started their comeback with Tom short breaking from a rolling maul to burst over wide out to break the duck. This lifted the side and with Jonny Madden quick service from the midfield to give captain Ollie Simpson a try in the corner, all that was left was for Sam Merrell touch down in the other corner to seal the hard earned win.