Category: 4th XV

Deacons vs Whitstable 2’s Away

Deacons winter of discontent finishes on a high. Young guns having some fun……

After a month without any on pitch action the Deacons ventured to Whitstable. A heavy home defeat early in the season and a really tough January playing the top 3 sides didn’t dampen our spirits.

We welcomed some new talent from UKC, prop Nigel Joseph and Jake Vovell at 10, some old talent returning from injury, Freddie Vion & Jake Beesley keeping the bench suitably warm, and Zingari talisman Leon Goode being every bit his namesake starting in the second row.

Returning from injury CCCU’s Brad Nicholson’s led another uncustomary Deacons set up, Ed Exley moving to the centres allowing Kirk Taylor another start on the wing.

Whitstable started fast but Canterbury defended well repelling the advances of the boys in blue who are well drilled and train regularly. The Deacons held their ground and tackled well organising themselves around the breakdown to great effect.
After a sustained period under pressure Whitstable struck first scoring and converting giving the home side the lead. Before long they added to their tally, a strong runner slipping out of some tackles to get across the line.

The quality of rugby was good, the Deacons were soon inside the home teams 22, testing their defence and moving the ball effectively. Just as it seemed a try was inevitable the tables turned and a penalty against the Deacons saw Whitstable kick to the corner, 10 metres out they threw their pack into a maul, driving over the line. A missed conversion saw the score at 19 – 0, the boys had worked hard but had nothing to show for it, yet.

Jake Vovell’s restarts were on the money. High and deep into Whitstable’s territory, some excellent chasing from Ed Exley, Kirk Taylor and Josh Pinnick pinning them down and not allowing a counter attack.
Not to be outdone, the forwards made some devastating runs, owning the collisions and working well on the floor.
Ronnie West had an extra weetabix for breakfast and punched powerfully through tackles. The big Skipper, Nigel & Reuben Kerr linked up to support Sam Roud at 9 and give him options at the breakdown while Leon Goode and Craig Marsh cleared out rucks relentlessly. Piers Weigh had an outstanding game, demonstrating his tackling prowess despite some dubious officiating when he was tip tackled.

Carter Jeffreys was the first to get across the line, running a lovely line picking off a couple of defenders and powering in, he’s really taken to senior rugby & is growing in confidence with every game he plays, the hard work being rewarded with his first senior try.
Jake V added the extras and half time arrived with the scoreline looking healthier at 19-7, Haribo, substitutes and some encouragement from the sideline was on hand – the momentum was shifting in our favour.

The second half begun with all to play for. The Deacons had their tales up, there was lots of positive play & the changes at half time injected more urgency, James Read & Jake Beesley with fresh legs causing chaos all over the pitch.
After some loose ball handling by Whitstable, Kirk Taylor pounced and used his footwork, power and pace to dot the ball down (also his first senior try) as we edged closer to our opponents.
Desperate to take the wind out of our sails the home side replied, scoring not once but twice, converting 1 to take them back into a commanding lead at 36 – 12.

The Deacons weren’t finished yet. Whitstable had learned not to kick the ball to Rob Horan at fullback early in the first half, and he showed them there was still life in the old dog picking up the ball using his footballing skills and scoring in the corner.
With a couple of players back on but out of position through injury & subs Freddie Vion & Steve Rutt having an impact (especially at scrum time) it was looking increasingly difficult to hold the home team at bay.

Whitstable tried to finish with a flourish only to run into James Read stripping the ball on his own try line before kicking an inspired 50/22 after a few more phases of play.
Going quickly and catching the opposition napping the forwards went to work running the ball hard towards to try line. After some great control and a number of passes the ball hit James as he flew across the line setting up an easy kick for Rob Horan to slot for the extras.

Full time whistle went at 36 -24.
Although not a win for the Deacons, it was a victory. To challenge as we did with a number of players new to the team, with little time together against a strong Whitstable set up is outstanding.

MOTM – Ed Exley

Back next week at home to Sittingbourne 2’s. Another challenge we’ll be looking to carry this week’s momentum into.

Lastly – one of our Deacons Development Pathway alumni broke a collarbone representing North Petherton in the Somerset leagues on Saturday. Speedy recovery Reilly!

Deacons step things up & worry TJ’s 3’s.

The sun came out for the last of the 171 weekends in Jan ‘26 as we welcomed TJ’s 3’s to the MTG. Being the only team playing at home we were excited to be back home but knew our opponents would be formidable. It’s been a tricky January where we’ve played the top 3 teams in our league on consecutive weekends. Such a tough schedule brings its own challenges has & we lost a few of our key players to injuries.

Calling up our teammates from across the Zingari, wider club, uni and Colts we fielded another team filled with youth, experience & greying hair and even had some subs to call on.
To our delight the ever capable Jake Upward & Dan Head were available in the back line alongside Herbie Bowler to bolster some serious talent in the pack with Milo Kubicki, Rueben Kerr, Freddie Philpot and Aidan Demery all making appearances for everybody’s favourite Canterbury team.

Losing the toss Canterbury received the kick off playing uphill on the Orchard pitch and started with good intentions. After a number of phases TJ’s got to show us what they had in their arsenal. They tested us across the pitch in the face of some fierce defending by the City boys, tackling hard and shutting down the TJ’s runners. After a prolonged period camped on the Deacons 5m line TJ’s struck first despite the defensive heroics.
It didn’t take long before the visitors found some space on the opposite wing and darted in for a second try, this time converted.

Chasing the restart the Deacons set about making sure TJ’s didn’t have it all their own way with some great carries from the forwards & strong presses against the counter attacks. The game was tougher than a Wetherspoons steak, so much so Oli Toms destroyed his boots through his blistering pace.
Following a strong Canterbury scrum and Dylan Coyle whipping the ball around for some phase play, Milo Kubicki spotted the gap and barrelled through fending off some defenders & setting up an easy conversion for Dan Head’s ever reliable boot.
We were off the mark at 7-12 and not much of the half left.

Sadly the next 12 minutes did not go in our favour. Fatigue set in, we lost some of the communication, focus and confidence that had seen us pull ourselves back into the game. TJ’s ran in a couple of quick, easy tries.

The half time Haribo was in dire need as the whistle went and we headed to the break 7-31 down. A few personnel changes on the cards – Piers Weigh had to stand down due to injury having had a superb game, Connor Langley joined at flanker and young superstar Kirk Taylor moved to fullback.

With Dylan & Herbie trading places we were ready for the second half. Unfortunately we didn’t realise it had already started and TJ’s seized the chance to score once more. Bugger.

So off we went again, chasing another restart worried it was history repeating itself, TJ’s with the wind in their sails and still with most of the half to go.
But once again, as with most of this seasons games the Deacons clicked & worked together. Freddie Philpot was instrumental in so many attacking runs (he also played in 3 different positions by the end of the game) & he deserved to score powering over the line.
Jake Upward & Dan Head controlled the defensive line and the attacking moves and once again the big man Milo got his second with some impressive footwork.

With Dan putting away the extras we found realised the scoreboard was at 21-31 & it was game on! TJ’s were rattled & set about pressuring us to try and find a crack in our defense. With tiring bodies & an empty bench they crossed our line once more but another missed kick saw us trail by 15 points with plenty of time remaining.

With a period where both teams made as many mistakes as each other, up stepped Freddie again tearing into the try area and stopping just short of between the posts to allow a simple conversion. Remarkably now 28-36 and the Deacons were chasing a massive comeback. With a converted try in it & 6 or 7 minutes on the clock (yeah, 6/7……) we were within range.

TJ’s were shook. They came back strong using territory and a well rehearsed set piece to their advantage. A strong rolling maul which (accidentally) collapsed leading to a penalty meant TJ’s were eventually able to cross our line again to take the score to 28-41.

We thought we were still in it, and wanted more. When the final whistle went we all celebrated, 2nd in the league had beaten 2nd from bottom. But the Deacons re-discovered their form & went to the sheds full of pride.

Back on St Valentines Day away to Leigh, lovers (hope it’s not a massacre!)

MOTM x2 – Carter Jefferys for work rate & Jake Upward for intensity

Tries –
Milo Kubicki x 2
Freddie Philpot x 2
Conv – Dan Head x 4

Entertaining the top of the table side was always going to be a challenge. Babarians have only lost 1 game all season & their quality was never in question on Saturday.

However, the Deacons aren’t afraid of a challenge; the Babarians soon realised they weren’t going to have it all their own way as they struggled to break the deadlock in the midst of a ferocious home defensive effort and a string of intense counter attacks managed by the half backs around the pitch.

After 25 minutes Babarians managed to take the lead before scoring once more 10 minutes after.

Never deterred & buoyed by a disallowed try, the Deacons replied shortly before halftime ending 5-12 at the break.

The second half was a different game altogether. Babarians showed their class and strength in numbers & enjoyed a couple of lucky bounces. A pair of quick tries around the hour mark & a second disallowed try for us saw the visitors build a healthy lead.

Not content with letting them have it all their own way, we continued to stretch their defense with the ball in hand & challenge their pack at scrum time despite the Babarians significant front row size advantage.

FT 5-41
Player of the match Oli Turton
Jadyn Moore stand out player
Honourable mentions to the entire team – we keep building!

Maidstone II 12 – 35 Deacons

Another team with some new faces, some returning faces; some young at heart faces. Maidstone enjoyed the home advantage with a spirited start that had their supporters in full voice. Capitalising on a Maidstone error Craig Fuller pounced and took us into the lead early in the first half. Maidstone replied almost instantly with neither team able to convert. A very hard fought battle ensued before Finn MacCabe found some space, scored, and added the extras.

The Deacons discipline has been nothing but exemplary all season and as the home team became frustrated at their lack of scrum dominance the penalty count added up and Maidstone went into half time with 14 men.

The second half saw Maidstone score from an interception. With the scores at 12 a piece the Deacons started to apply pressure. The reply was a fantastically worked rolling maul from the forwards to put Jadyn Moore over the line. With solid work from the pack in the middle of the park, the backs went to work around the fringes.
Some brilliant running rugby saw 2 tries from Johnnie Gaylor & a further from debutant Ano Masaka.

Player of the Match – Johnnie Gaylor
Honourable mentions for the entire team.

The Deacons continue to build; our brand of enjoyable, fun, occasionally flamboyant rugby. Get involved!

The Deacons welcomed Folkestone 2^nd XV to the MTG with the visitors having won their opening two games of the season and the Canterbury side looking to bounce back after their narrow 1-point defeat to Gravesend last time out.

The opening stages of the game set the tone for what was going to be a tough battle from both sides for the full 80 minutes. But it was the home side who would strike the first blow, a loose ball in midfield was hacked downfield by Canterbury fullback Ollie Simpson who gleefully chased, collected, and dotted down to put the Deacons in the lead.

Folkestone mounted then mounted a strong period of pressure with the Deacons struggling to get out of their own half and string any meaningful phases together. However another period of scrappy play around the halfway line opened up a huge gap for other winger Johnnie Gaylor to show a clean pair of heels and race away for the Deacons second of the game. But Folkestone were quickly back piling on the pressure and broke through to leave the score at 12-7 to the home side at the break.

The second half opened with as much intensity as the first had ended, with the 10 from Folkestone kicking them into great field positions. However, in a repeat of the first half, it was the deacons who opened the scoring again in the second half with a series of quick left-hand passes (Joe Pellet would be very proud) opening up a big overlap for Chris Wickington to race through and put the Deacons up 19-7.

A rare breakthrough the middle of the park saw captain James Limmer race towards the posts, only for the ref to controversially call the ball was held up. Protests fell on deaf ears as the skipper was reprimanded by the ref with the home team then conceding a penalty and being marched 10m back up the field.

Folkestone then pinned the Deacons in their own 22 for a prolonged period, the ball coming rushing back every time the Deacons looked to exit. The pressure then paid off with the visitors scoring a close-range effort after sapping the Deacons defence.

But it was the home side with the last laugh, as club stalwart Dan Mills offloaded elegantly in the middle of the park to set Ollie Simpson racing away under the posts for his second of the game.

The game finished 26-12 after a tough contest by both teams, with a man of the match performance dished out by Freddie Chapman on his deacons debut.

View match photos

Images may be subject to copyright – Lisa Godden