Sunday 23rd February 03:00 am … alarms ring out across the city … in preparation for Canterbury Women’s squads 04:00am departure from Merton Lane to Jersey.
Canterbury travelled with reduced numbers as injury and unavailability impacted the squad. However, the eighteen players were buoyant in the warmup and extremely keen to experience Canterbury women’s first ever live streamed fixture.
Jersey’s fly-half Taye Boakye-Yiadom, who had not made the trip to Canterbury back in November, certainly made her presence felt from the kick off. Chasing her penetrating kick down and forcing Canterbury to knock on the ball.
The first scrum saw Jersey take control with a well organised, forceful drive taking them into the Canterbury twenty-two.
A swift pass – from the base of the scrum – by Jersey nine ignited Boakye-Yiadom. She displayed outstanding footwork to sidestep Lily Adams (her opposing ten) then break through the newly formed centre partnership of Anneka Willis and Lily Philpott. Boakye-Yiadom grounded the ball and converted to take Jersey into an early 7-0 lead.
For a further ten minutes, Canterbury continue to absorb relentless waves of attack by Jersey. Uncharacteristic handling errors and missed tackles from Canterbury allowed Jersey to take control of possession and territory. It was clear Canterbury were adjusting to the new lineup but perseverance and communication saw momentum shift. Fly half Lily Adams inspired the team around her with some blistering tackles on her opposite number; it certainly was the battle of the afternoon.
With increased cohesion in Canterbury’s defence, Jersey found themselves being driven back in the contact. Captain Daniella Charles deployed her super strength, in the jackal, turning over numerous balls and frustrating Jersey. Canterbury forwards began to work as solid units hitting rucks hard and providing clean ball for scrum-half Ella Jenkins. Forward of the match, Alexia Scarpulla, impressed in both attack and defence. Her relentless disruption at the rucks resulted in numerous turnover balls for Canterbury.
Jersey fly half Boakye-Yiadom orchestrated a relentless rush defence but their penalty count was increasing with the referee sighting a number of high tackle offences. Boakye-Yiadom not adjusting her tackle height, following a team warning, received the first yellow card of the match.
Canterbury realised these 10 minutes were essential for them to find cohesion in attack and look to threaten Jersey while they were down to 14 players.
Jersey’s hooker overthrew a line out ball, on the halfway line, Phoebe Brennan was quick to react, making a dominant tackle which forced a knock on. The scrum saw the Canterbury pack drive effectively as a full eight. The ball was passed rapidly along the back line and wing Alice Hayward cut back inside on a dummy line to gain a central attacking platform. Unfortunately, in the ensuing ruck Canterbury’s Captain Charles had to leave the field with a head injury.
Vice-captain Lucy Relf roused the team with a positive message to have confidence! A simple plan attack Jersey with the dominant carrying which the squad have been working so hard on in training. Alex Mills replaced Charles and made an immediate impact with a blistering run and hand off which floor the Jersey Centre.
Strong carriers from prop Olivia Crebbin and second row Alex Flisher opened up the Jersey defensive line. Jenkins unleashed Willis who offloaded a sweet pop to Philpott who attacked the gain line at pace and scored her debut try for Canterbury. Returning fullback Grace Cranham slotted a tricky conversion into the wind.
Jersey scrumhalf Bethan Hughes ignited pace into the breakdown all afternoon. Taking advantage of a penalty on the Canterbury twenty-two Hughes demonstrated exceptional game awareness to take a quick tap. She attacked the retreating defenders – standing in an offside position – and scored Jersey’s second try with just twenty minutes on the clock. The conversion was missed.
With the clock ticking down to halftime, Canterbury were awarded a penalty within kicking range. A cruel gust of wind saw Cranham’s attempt drop agonisingly short. Going into the break both teams had everything to play for with Jersey taking a 10-7 lead.
Both sides returned to the field with renewed enthusiasm this match was there for the taking. Waves of positive attack came from both sides however, this play remains in the middle of the pitch.
It took until the 54th minute for the next points to be added by the formidable Jersey fly half Boakye-Yiadom. The Jersey tight eight worked hard to carry the ball deep into the Canterbury 22. Boakye-Yiadom deployed her silky footwork to evade the oncoming tackles. However, Canterbury did ensure that the try was scored in the corner and not converted. With the score at 15-7 Canterbury were still in touching distance.
From the restart wing Emily Moriarty, who had been solid in defence all afternoon, found attacking space by running at tired forwards. Her trademark yellow boots were seen on numerous occasions poking out from the bottom of a ruck. Hooker, Inger Philpott was always on hand to support at the breakdown as well as create constant disruption during the opposition scrum.
The Jersey penalty count was rising and Canterbury took advantage with Jenkins playing the quick tap penalties. Momentum shifted towards Canterbury following solid carriers by Amber Waitimas and dynamic running from the ever spritely Mills. Substitute Tazmyn Marks (making her Canterbury debut) immediately threw herself into the action with a powerful tackle turnover. The resulting scrum offered opportunity for Relf to snipe around the fringes and make valuable territorial gains. Winger Hayward, looking to support her forward pack, noticed a gap in the Jersey defence five metres from the line. She pounce on the ball drove hard with her legs and dived for the line. The try wasn’t converted so taking the scoreboard to 15-12.
Canterbury’s concentration dipped and Jersey took full advantage. The ball being passed quickly and effectively along the back line eventually being touched down, in the corner, by outside centre Georgina Ruellan. Once again Canterbury forcing the play to the very edges of the pitch resulted in the try not being converted. At seventy-one minutes the score stood at 20-12.
From this point on Canterbury showed determination and passion as every player on the pitch fought hard in the carries and focused to ensure clean ball at the breakdown. Substitute Claire Bernthal combined well with Alex Mills running tips lines and unsettling the jersey defence. Jenkins recycled the ball quickly popped it onto the attacking Willis who scored under the posts. Cranham stepped up and converted the try confidently. The scoreboard now sat at Jersey 20 Canterbury 19.
The scoreboard clock was sitting at 80 minutes, it had been left running through stoppages and the referee informed both sides there was still time to play. Jersey pushed hard from the restart kicking the ball deep into the Canterbury twenty-two. Ferocious tackles were being made across the pitch but Jersey maintained their composure and pressed towards the try line.
Fierce counter rucking resulted in possession being turned over to Canterbury. Jenkins unleashed her back line who worked harmoniously together to push Canterbury towards the halfway line. Jersey infringing, by entering the rock at the side, saw the referee award Canterbury a penalty.
Once again, Canterbury set up a clear attacking platform for Adams and Lily Philpot to interconnect and lead the charge up the pitch. Willis looped round to support and was felled by a high tackle. The referee awarded a further penalty Canterbury were informed this would be the last play of the match with a penalty being awarded in front of the posts. Cranham stepped up to take the kick. You could hear a pin drop around the ground. Cranham set the ball on her kicking tea only for the wind to blow it off. The tension mounted but Cranham remained calm and collected. She reset the ball, took a deep breath and slotted it seamlessly through the centre of the uprights.
Cranham was immediately engulfed by a jubilant Canterbury squad to celebrate an incredible victory on the road. It was heartbreak for Jersey who certainly contributed to an enthralling game. As a club Jersey were incredible hosts for the day and the Canterbury squad would like to thank them for their hospitality as well as the live stream. The whole Canterbury squad are definitely looking forward to meeting next season.
Finally, squad would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Meadow Grange Nursery, Honey Hill, Whitstable for their sponsorship which helped fund the squads’ epic twenty-one hour adventure to the Channel Island.
