Category: 5th XV

Zingari Crowned Kent Rural C League Champions

Posted on | by Becca Williams

From the opening whistle of the first game to the final showdown on Saturday, the journey of our Canterbury Zingari has been nothing short of remarkable. A season built on full effort, resilience, and unwavering determination has ended exactly as it deserved, with the Zingari lifting the Kent Rural C League title.

A Season Defined by Heart and Hard Work

Week after week, the squad showed what can be achieved through commitment and belief. Their performances were powerful, disciplined, and full of character. Whether grinding out tough away wins or delivering dominant displays at home, the Zingari set the standard across the league.

Their final league table position says it all:

  • 14 games played
  • 11 wins
  • 1 draw
  • 571 points scored
  • A huge +392 points difference

These numbers reflect a team that didn’t just compete; they led from the front.

Champions of the Kent Rural C League

Securing the league title is a testament to every player who pulled on the shirt this season. From seasoned leaders to new faces, every contribution mattered. The squad’s unity and drive have been clear from day one, and this championship is the reward for months of hard work.

A Proud Moment for the Club

This achievement highlights the strength of our rugby community and the depth of talent within the club. The Zingari have shown what it means to play for Canterbury: passion, teamwork, and pride in every performance.

Looking Ahead

With the league title secured, the Zingari can look forward to the next chapter with confidence. Momentum is on their side, belief is high, and the foundations are strong.

Congratulations to the entire Zingari squad, league champions and fully deserving of the title.

 

Zingari v Old Gravesendians Match Report

Posted on | by Becca Williams

Match Report. 17.04.26

Old Gravesendians 2nd v Canterbury 5th

Canterbury5th 54pts.  Old Gravesendians 12pts.

The Zingari delivered an outstanding performance against Old Gravesendians putting them back in contention for a possible league title. With all to play for the Zingari came out of the blocks from the kick off driving deep into Gravesendians territory for Ashley Nwapa to break free of his would-be tackler for the first converted try. The pressure was unrelenting and ten minutes later quick ball from a ruck gave Vince Collett his chance to break the defensive line for the city’s second converted try. The pattern was set the city forward’s making ground with the backs exploiting the gaps, this had a secondary effect allowing Ash Nwapa to set off on a tackle braking run for his second try of the afternoon converted by Rob Horan. Next up was Brad Allchurch  making a return after a long absence showing some of his old magic sliding through the gaps in a broken defence to add to the try tally, with Rob Horan adding the extras. Gravesend who had looked dangerous on several occasions only the Zingari tackling had stemmed them before they took to the boot gaining a lineout in the Canterbury twenty-two that they exploited to power over from short range for a converted try giving them the last word of the half.

 

The second half  started much the same way with the Zingari applying all the pressure, and it wasn’t long before Vince Collett spotted ta gap in broken play to go under the posts for a converted try. However, it was Old Gravesendians who struck the next blow putting in a long penalty kick  winning the lineout to go over out wide for the unconverted try. Canterbury got back to work after this setback with a greater sense of urgency with some of their best play of the season, despite Gravesendians aggressive tackling the Zingari opened up play with some of the best handling of the season with backs and forwards combining to open up the defence. Soon the gap appeared for Vince Collett try converted by Rob Horan  followed by Finnan Langley crashing over for his converted try. With the game going into the last minutes the final blow came from Tony Carollo coming in from full back providing the extra man to touch down cementing a convincing win.

 

1Ash

2 Vince

3 Ash

4  Brad

 

5 Vince

6 ? Vince

7 Finnan

8 Tony

Match Report: Zingari 85 Sheppey 2’s 14

Posted on | by Becca Williams

By Colin Scurr

The Zingari swept aside Sheppey with an overwhelming display of power and handling from the kick off opening their account with a Henry Collins converted try within the first five minutes after Sheppey lost possession in their own twenty-two. This was followed with Will  Raynor bursting through a tackle touching down near the posts for the simple following conversion. Next in line was wingman Piers Weigh finishing off a move to score in the corner for both his second try in his second game at senior level, with Horan adding the conversion from the tight angel. The city side looked in control their forwards especially in the loose setting up their backs with quick ball exploited first by Will Raynor, and then by Henrey Collins with successful converted try’s. With halftime approaching the final act was Jon Foster making his first appearance for the Zingari and making sure the forwards got in on the act powered over the line for another converted try to give the city side a commanding 42-point halftime lead.

The Second half started looked its was going to be much the same with Henry Carruthers touching down out wide within minutes of the kick off, but Sheppey had other ideas using their forwards to set up position near the Canterbury line before powering over for their first converted try, however, this was soon neutralised with Will Raynor completing his hat trick. Sheppey to their credit started a fight back with their forwards leading the charge giving their backs a few more opportunities with a kick in behind the Canterbury defence that was collected for a well taken converted try. This inspired  Sheppey and they redoubled their efforts putting the city side under some pressure only to find Canterbury could defend, and as the game went into the last quarter the Zingari were back in control winning quick ball from the breakdown that started a try frenzy. First to benefit was Simon Jaynes, and Jon Foster for his second try, followed by Henry Carruthers for his hattrick. Now deep into injury time Callum Townsend Henry Carruthers completed the try tally, and along with Rob Horans accurate boot  gave the Zingari one of their best starts to the season possible.

Match Report: Zingari 75 Lordswood 2’s 28

Posted on | by Becca Williams

By Colin Scurr

The Zingari opened their seasons account with an emphatic win against an inexperienced Lordswood side, despite the final scoreline Lordswood showed resilience making Canterbury fight for every point. From the kick off the Zingari had Lordswood pined on their own line before Brad Alchurch making another return after taking a season out, burst his way over the line under the posts for the following simple conversion. The Zingari kept up the pressure with a kick and chase picked up by Henry Collins touching down near the posts for the following conversion, and twenty minutes into the half Ollie Simpson showed his pace outstripping the defence to score out wide. Within two minutes the city side struck again with Henrey Collins breaking the defensive line for another converted try. This was followed a few minutes later with the ball traveling down the line to find wing Piers Weigh making his first appearance at senior rugby scoring with a try out wide with the following conversion. Lordswood could have folded, but after period of scrappy play broke the city defence with a converted try of their own, however the Zingari had the last word of the half with another Brad Alchurch converted try, and with the bonus of Rob Horan slotting the conversions Canterbury a substantial halftime lead.

 

The second half started much the same this time Ollie Simpson picking his way through adding to his tally with another converted try, if Canterbury thought it was all over, they were in for a check as Lordswood although not so good in the loose had done well at the set piece took advantage, and ten minutes into the half  snatched back a converted try. The Zingari soon struck back with another try,  but were coming under pressure from that Lords wood set piece, only a wild pass from Lordswood allowed Jonny Gaynor the interception to go the length of the field to touch down. Again, Lordswood would not lay down and after some missed tackles

Lordswood snatched another try back. With the match going into the last quarter the Zingari hit back in the thirty-eight minutes with a ollie Simpson hat trick followed by another Jonny Gaynor try and his hat trick. However, with the game now well into injury time Lordswood refused to give up snatching a deserved consolation converted try with the last play.

Zingari storm past league leaders

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Canterbury 33pts. Gillingham Anchorians 2nd 14pts.

The Zingari continue their winning ways with an outstanding second half performance, sweeping aside top of the table Anchorians. Both sides made a cautious if not faltering start with handling errors being at the fore until things began to settled down into a regular pattern. The first break came twenty minutes into the half with Canterbury making a half line break opening up Gillingham’s defence for Patrick Collins to slice his way through for the cities first try, and Jacob Coffin conversion. However, minutes later their work was undone after Canterbury came offside at a maul and Anchorians took advantage with a quickly taken penalty setting up their forwards to go over near the posts, and with the conversion, all was level. Things now looked a little more settled, with both sides unable to gain control at the set piece, and the half ended with honours even.

Whatever was said at half time seemed to do the trick, the Zingari came out fired up and within minutes the Zingari forwards had Anchorians in trouble probing deep into their territory before Connor Langley finished off the move under the posts, and Coffin to slot the extras. Within minutes of the restart a turnover ball was exploited by the city backs to take the ball wide for Callium Townshend to make the touch down extending the lead. Gillingham rallied with a series of attacks using their forwards to make ground down the middle, only to be thwarted by the city’s ferocious tackling that eventually had Gillingham on the back foot. The Canterbury forwards began to show themselves masters of the turnover ball setting up the Zingari backs who then exploited the extra possession punching holes in the defence, and setting up attacking positions deep into the Anchorians territory. Gillingham’s scrambled defence initially stood up well, but as the pressure increased, they were forced to give away penalties in an attempt to stop the onslaught. This was exploited with Ash Nwapa making a charge breaking tackle to touch down for his first try, followed ten minutes later after a poor clearance kick was returned for Ash to finish off for his second, both converted by Coffin to put Canterbury out of sight. With the clock running down Anchorians got their chance after Canterbury made a defensive error that was snapped up by their wing man, who found the outside before going behind the posts for a well-deserved consolation converted try.

Zingari edge thriller in gritty finale

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Canterbury 14pts. Old Gravesendians 2nd 12pts.

The Zingari just held on in the dying moments of the game to snatch the win in this fiercely competitive encounter that saw both sides give a display of not only exciting but skillful rugby. From the start, both sides only had attack on their minds with Gravesend having the better of the territory in the opening quarter. This eventually saw them camping on the Canterbury try line before their forwards forced an opening try out wide, and finished it off with a difficult conversion to put them in the lead. As so often happens after a score Gravesend made a poor clearance that was gathered by Rob Horan and run back at them with devastating consequences finishing off with a try near the posts for the simple conversion. Back on level terms, both sides re-engaged before a series of clever offloads opened up the Zingari defence, but the resulting try only delivered the five points with the conversion sliding past the near post to give Gravendians a five-point halftime lead.

The second half saw both sets of forwards struggled to dominate both in the loose and at the set piece, Old Gravesendians holding a slight advantage at the scrums and Canterbury disrupting Gravesendians lineouts neither side looked like they could break free. The breakthrough came as the game entered the last quarter with Gravesendians giving away a series of penalties the Zingari got within striking distance for Henry Collins to force his way over the line, and with Rob Horan slotting the extra points for the conversion secured the slender two-point lead. All to play for as the clock ticked down Gravesendians poured everything into the attack, the city side despite being now a man down through injury raised their game with a heroic display of tackling. With the game now into injury time it was not over with a final Gravesendians attack, ending with a messy scramble on the city line before a boot finally manage to clear the ball into touch, claiming a narrow, but well-deserved win.

Canterbury Triumphs in Hard-Fought Battle Against Gravesend 4ths

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Zingari 34pts. Gravesend 4th 24pts.

The Zingari entered this contest as underdogs after losing out in an away match earlier in the season, and in the opening moments, it looked as if Gravesend was going to repeat their earlier success scoring in the opening minutes. Already five points down within the first four minutes after some sustained heavy forward pressure Canterbury took stock, and in what can only be described as a lesson in tackling put the heavy Gravesend pack on the back foot. This gave the city backs their opportunity to run the ball that paid off with a converted try, and again with ten minutes before half time spread the ball wide touching down in the corner for a 12-5 halftime lead.

The second half started this time with Canterbury coming out of the blocks securing an early try out wide extending their lead. Gravesend reply was again to use their forward power, but again the Zingari tackling was up to the task stopping the momentum often behind the gain line. Canterbury had the territorial advantage and with the game going into the last quarter broke free in midfield for a clear run under the posts for a converted try. The city side looked in control when they were struck with an injury reducing the side to fourteen with twenty minutes to go. Gravesend took full advantage throwing everything into attack securing a converted try. The Zingari held out until the last minute before the Gravesend forward managed to force their way over the line for a converted try, too late to alter the result but added a degree of respectability to the final score in this very hard-fought contest.

Zingari 2024-25

It was always going to be tough.

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Canterbury 5th v Gravesend 4th
Canterbury 19pts. Gravesend 4th 35pts.

This makeshift Zingari side made a poor start against a well drilled Gravesend fifteen. The home side used their heavier pack to dominate territory and possession and with it came early tries and the conversions with some excellent place kicking. Canterbury reeling from their early battering recovered late in the first half making the most of possession inside the Gravesend twenty-two for Jonnie Gaylor to break the line out wide for the city’s first try. Gravesend reply was almost instant with another try, but Canterbury had the last word with Tom Goode bulldozing his way through the Gravesend defence to reduce the deficit to 28-12 at halftime with the converted try. The second half saw Canterbury come under intense pressure for the first ten minutes conceding another try, but this time unconverted. The Zingari however were looking more comfortable despite losing their only recognised kicker were adapting to their unfamiliar positions. It had been a steep learning curve with a lot of the players adapting to their new positions now put Gravesend on the back foot before putting the ball wide for Dan Till siding in near the posts for a converted try to give an air of respectability to the final score.

click to expand photo

By the smallest of margins ..

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Canterbury 35 – 36 Weavering 1st XV

The Zingari lost out to a strong top of the table well drilled Weavering side by the narrowest possible margin after a hard-fought contest that went down to the wire. After a shaky start Canterbury conceding three try’s and two conversions within the first fifteen minutes until many players drafted into unfamiliar positions began to settle. Desperate to avoid their experience at Edenbridge under similar circumstances a few weeks earlier battled hard, and in the last quarter of the half managed to get the ball wide for the backs to show what they could do with two converted tries’ reducing the deficit. However, it was Weavering who had the last word of the half using their well drilled pack driving deep into Canterbury territory forcing an unconverted try to give them a 24-14 point halftime lead.

The second half saw Weavering make an early strike with an unconverted try to extend their lead. The city forwards redoubled their efforts in the light of this early setback, and Weavering never looked as dominant as they had previously. Both sides defences dominated and it wasn’t until halfway through the second half both sides exchanged converted tries. As the game went into the last quarter the Zingari step up a gear, even their scrum held up, and it wasn’t long before they were putting pressure on the Weavering in all departments. This gave the backs the opportunity to run in another converted try, and a few minutes later a combination of forwards and backs broke through to go under the posts, and with the conversion were within a point. With seven minutes on the clock, it was all to play for, Canterbury pressured the line time and again, but Weavering’s defence held out to give them the win with the narrowest margin in a game that was a credit to both sides.

Match report v Vigo

Under the cosh from the off

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Zingari 0 – Vigo 2nds 56

The Zingari suffered their worst defeat of the season against a strong Vigo second side. Canterbury was under the cosh from the outset against a well drilled heavy experienced pack. Their direct running sucked in the city defence creating opportunities outside for them to run in two converted try’s in the first ten minutes. There was no let up as the half continued, Vigo adding two more to give them a healthy halftime lead.

The second half started the same way canterbury conceding two more converted trys with the Vigo place kicker seeming to be able to slot the conversions from any angle seemed to seal the Zingari fate. Despite the early pressure you could expected the Zingari to implode. Instead despite conceding two more try’s before the finale whistle showed remarkable resistance. Many of the players out of their normal positions instead collapsing made the opposition work hard for every meter in a show of defiance earning respect in a hard fought contest.