From Head Coach Matt Corker.
Last Saturday was a tough day. I said after the game on the live stream that we must be humble, and I stand by that. Blackheath were ruthless in their attack, and we paid for our mistakes. The thing that I was saddest about is that we didn’t fire a shot. We have an exciting and high energy attack. I can back that up with the tries we have scored this season, twice having periods of scoring three tries in quick succession, but we didn’t see any of that last weekend. The other obvious shortcoming on our stat sheet was the number of missed tackles. This isn’t a feature of our defence, something that we take great pride in. We know it is not possible to win a game against the best team in the league and miss that number of tackles. This will be an area we will be looking for a big turn around on Saturday.
The lads are driven to create an environment to be proud of and turned up on Tuesday ready to work and right the wrongs of the weekend. Worthing away has always been a tough fixture and this season will not be any different. We have focused on some clear targets that will get us back to using our strengths and the way we want to play. I have made some changes to the team as I believe that with the strength we have throughout the squad it is important to give other players their opportunity to show what they are capable of. Our unbeaten away record will be tested, and it is just what we need after the result against Blackheath.
The changes to last week’s squad see scrum half Will Calder make his first start and wing Max Halliday switch to full back. Cameron Murray will be at open side flanker and skipper Jamie Stephens wears the Number 6 shirt. Lock Royce Cadman makes his first appearance of the season as a bench replacement.after recovering from injury.
CANTERBURY TALES
Old Boys Club
Last week’s all Kent clash with Blackheath saw a continuation of the strong links with Canterbury over many seasons. The front rows needed no introduction as the Canterbury three, Billy Young, Nathan Morris and Danny Herriott, are all recent wearers of the Blackheath shirt. The exchange of players with Blackheath has always been a two way street with Matty Stewart leaving Canterbury and heading to South East London before winning over 30 international caps for Scotland. Highly rated back row players Ken Aseme and Leon White played great rugby for both clubs and Baden Meeu was a hooker who swapped Merton Lane for the Recreation Ground, Blackheath’s old headquarters. Before them it was Nick Kingsman, father of Charlie, who represented both clubs with distinction Let’s not forget, also, that Aiden Moss started his senior rugby journey at Blackheath but it was Canterbury who moved him to full back where he found his natural home. As well as the playing side we benefited from the coaching skills of Mark Hanslip when his playing career at Blackheath was cut shot by injury while Danny Vaughan and Matty Stewart coached at both clubs.. The connections run deep but the rivalry goes on.
Looking For A Career?
The club is extending its already wide community reach next month when we host a Careers Fair. The event, on October 28th, is aimed at all age groups who wish to meet and talk to locally based professionals from a wide range of career paths. Among the fifteen local employers providing advice and guidance will be the Construction Industry Training Board, Christchurch University & Canterbury College. Leading motor sales group Barretts, one of the company’s welcoming the initiative, said: “As a family run business that has been operating for 120 years in the heart of Canterbury and Ashford, Barretts are delighted to be supporting Canterbury Rugby Club Careers Fair. As a group that operates with 450 staff across 7 franchises, including Sales, Service and Parts we have widespread opportunity for people at any stage in their life to start their new and fulfilling career.”
The fair will run from 10.00 to 14.00 with welcome talks at 11.0 and113.00 For further information contact Kirsty Walder: admin@cantrugby.co.uk Or pre-register at:https://bit.ly/cfc-oct-careers-fair
