Category: Match Reports

Match Report - Dover vs Pilgrims

Match report – Dover vs Pilgrims

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Pilgrims travelled to Dover for an early season local derby. The visitors started well, but within two minutes, lost possession missed tackles, and allowed the home side to break through and score an unconverted try, 5-0. Canterbury exerted more pressure, they won a line out 5 yards out but were harshly penalised for a throw that was not straight. Dover broke free, Martyn Beaumont, ex-first team captain, created an easy try which was converted, the lead was now 12-0 to the home side.

More good play and possession followed by the Pilgrims, but they lacked the final pass and were making errors and giving the ball away.  A penalty saw them go 15-0 down within 20 minutes. Then Dan Gill received a yellow card for stamping, Pilgrims lost their cool and Dover walked through for another 7 points. Half-time could not come sooner, 22-0 down and needing a very good second half to get back into the game!

Within minutes of the restart Canterbury messed up again and allowed Dover in for an easy try under the posts, 29-0.

The pilgrims started to get things going, good pressure on the Dover defensive line saw Beaumont transgress and get a yellow. Eoin O’Donoghue did a quick touch and go to score, Ollie Ashley-Jones converted, 29-7. A number of the pilgrims were having a good game individually, but still needed to gel as a team. More possession, but no points. Still errors when in good position, excellent defending by Dover, and the game got scrappy.

The home Partisan crowd played its part, the pilgrims got rattled playing away from home, they could not get the ball wide enough, quick enough, and the home side did not miss any tackles!

Then Eoin O’Donoghue, who had a good afternoon, scored again, Ollie did his bit and it was 29-14. At least Pilgrims won the second half! This new, young side still has much to learn, but there were many positives to take away from the game. Dover travel to Merton lane for the Christmas return game on December 17th, let us hope they do not play so well and Canterbury improve.

Pilgrims now have two games at home on the trot. This Saturday v Gilligham Anchorians, and the following week v Maidstone. Book into lunch and come along and watch two exciting games.

Match Report 1st XV vs Blackheath

Blackheath Class Tells

Posted on | by David Haigh

Canterbury 12 Blackheath 57

by David Haigh

The score line does not lie and the gulf between these two sides in this Kent derby was plain to see. Blackheath took the city club apart with display of of pace, skill and organisation which brought them eight tries and confirmed them as unbeaten leaders of National 2 East. With players of the calibre of centre Jake Hennessey and wing Alex Harris they rarely let an opportunity go to waste. Between them the pair claimed five of Blackheath’s tries, Hennessey getting a hat trick and the elusive Harris grabbing a couple and making another for Freddie Owen. The real shocks to Canterbury’s system dd not surface for half an hour despite the visitors dominating possession. A kick and chase try for Harris plus a penalty goal and conversion from Tom Ffitch had Canterbury eyeing a manageable first half. That optimism was then shattered in a devastating six minute window which saw Harris, Owen and Hennessey, with tremendous footwork, exploit the city club’s defensive frailties. Ffitch converted all three tries, it was 31-0 at the break and the match had ebbed away from the home side. At the start of the second half and with the wind now in their favour, Canterbury raised faint hopes by making the first score. A yellow card for Blackheath’s Marcus Burcham brought a penalty and a catch and drive opportunity and Alex Evans got the touchdown. That, however, was a minor blip for a side that revealed its class with another four tries. Canterbury’s best efforts were at the set pieces where the pack did a solid job but when ball was moved wide it was a different story. Clever off loading and support work, with players always available either side of the ball carriers, was in sharp contrast to a pedestrian and wilting Canterbury. Hennessey, twice, Steve Leonard and Jake Lloyd crowned all the good work and Ffitch slotted three conversions. An outplayed city club did make a defiant final statement through an 80th minute catch and drive score by Jamie Stephens which Frank Reynolds converted.

Canterbury: R.Howard, G.Hilton. W.Waddington. T.Best, (rep F.Morgan), M.Halliday, F.Reynolds, B.Cooper (repl W.Calder), B.Young (repl A.Cooper), N.Morris, D.Herriott (repl E.Lusher), D.Irvine (repl J.De Vries), J.Stephens, C. Murray, A.Evans, T.Oliver

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v Blackheath 24 Sept 2022

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton
Pilgrims vs Southwark Lancers

Match Report Pilgrims v Southwark Lancers

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

17th Sept.

Pilgrims 55 v Southwark lancers 7 (H-T 24-7)

Within the first few minutes of the game, Ollie Ashley-Jones got the ball and Ran in a 90 metre try, alas he missed the conversion, 5-0 to the Pilgrims. Eight minutes later Nico Englbrecht, playing his last game before going to University, went on an unstoppable darting run to make it 10-0, this time Ollie converted, 12-0.

After 16 minutes, a poor box kick, which really just went straight up, was pounced on by the visiting Number ten, who proceeded to break through the home defence to score under the posts for a converted try, 12-7. The home side then proceeded to put a lot of pressure on the visitors. Taking control of nearly every scrum they pushed The Lancers back, and were thwarted on a number of occasions by resolute defending. The Canterbury pack were having a good day, and Jake Dengate, went on to have a very good day. James Everatt came on for Dan Gill, as part of the prop rotation, the props swopped sides and within minutes Jack Green was able to lose two tackles, make 40 yards, and used his pace to score, but again, due to a difficult cross wind, Ollie, just missed again, 17-7. The pilgrims were passing the ball quickly through their players, and it was just a matter of time before more points would be added!

From a scrum, and the ensuing 20 yard push, Ollie got the ball out to Max Halliday, whose weaving run deceived the visitors, and he scored a converted try to lead 24-7. On the stroke of half time Southwark Lancers pushed hard and were only stopped from scoring by good defensive work, the home side holding the ball up from what was going to be a certain try, half time arrived with the home side 24-7 up. 4 tries to 1.

The referee was having an excellent game, you hardly noticed him throughout the game. Royce Cadman was captaining the side after his return to rugby from his recent marriage, the squad benefitted from his experience and leadership.

Eoin O’Donoghue, came on immediately looked at home, and make some excellent runs and tackles. The team try of the day soon came. Excellent work from the combined forwards and backs resulted in Jack Green playing Adrian Geddes in for an unconverted try 29-7.

Vaughn Meredith went on a dazzling 25 yard solo run to score, Ollie converting 36-7. Within minutes after a scrum and another excellent push, Luke Webber, who won the supporters player of the day award, got the ball to Ollie Ashley-Jones to score an unconverted try 41-7.

Adam Malik latched into to a good drive by the home side, the ball was given to Meredith who dived and reached with one hand to score a converted try, 48-7. With time running out Meredith completed his hat trick with a superb solo run, Converted by Ollie, 55-7. Pilgrims secured their first league win of the season, scoring 9 tries, 5 converted.

The whole squad played their part, this was a very good team performance.

Their next game is against local rivals Dover at the Crabble on the 24th September, 3:00 kick off, and so it might! Don’t miss it.

Scorers:-Tries – Ashley-Jones, Nico Englebrecht, Jack Green, Max Halliday, Adrian Geddes, Vaughn Meredith, Ashley-Jones, Vaughn Meredith, Vaughn Meredith.

Conversions 5, by Ashley-Jones

Match report - Westcliff vs 1st XV

Another Maximum Return

Posted on | by David Haigh

WESTCLIFF 14 CANTERBURY 34

by David Haigh

Away days are proving profitable for Canterbury when, for the second time this season, they scooped up a maximum five league points which lifted them to second place in the National 2 East table. They were always in control of a scrappy affair against a limited Westcliff outfit and six tries was a decent return from a mixed performance.
Three of those scores came in a first half in which Westcliff’s indiscipline cost them three yellow cards and their failure to convert three penalty kicks stopped them getting any sort of foothold.
Guy Hilton celebrated his birthday with the opening score, a smart finish to some good handling as the wing slipped his markers. Tom Best converted. The forwards, controlled and efficient, took the credit for the next two with Nathan Morris peeling off a driving maul and Dave Irvine crashing over from a lineout. Unnecessary penalties stifled some of Canterbury’s momentum but a seventeen point lead at the break was comfortable enough and they nailed down a bonus point three minutes into the second half. Centre Will Waddington made the break and did the support work for the fourth try and the city side were soon looking for more. Instead, Westcliff grabbed an opportunity as Jimmy Rea intercepted near his own line and made the running for Jimmy Hogarth to touch down and Brad Robbins to convert. The last fifteen minutes of the match, full of errors and little structure, were forgettable but at least there were three late tries to keep supporters interested. Westcliff gifted one to Harry Andrews as they messed up a goal line drop out before Robbins gave the home side consolation with a score converted by Harry Mount. Two minutes from the end Waddington, in excellent form, ran on to Frank Reynolds’ delayed pass to complete Canterbury’s set and Reynolds converted with the last kick of an undistinguished game.
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Canterbury: R.Howard, G.Hilton, W.Waddington, T.Best, F.Morgan (repl T.Halliday), F.Reynolds, B.Cooper (rep W.Calder), B.Young (repl A.Cooper), N.Morris, D.Herriott (rel E.Lusher), D.Irvine, J.Stephens, C.Murray, A.Evans (repl H.Andrews), T.Oliver

Match photos
v Westcliff - 17 Sept 2022

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton
Vigo vs Pilgrims

Pilgrims Miss Out

Posted on | by David Haigh

VIGO 20 CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 19

Pilgrims first experience of the new Counties East league ended in the narrowest of defeats. Throughout the game there was little between the sides with the lead changing hands six times before Vigo took advantage of missed tackles to grab a converted try which proved decisive. Canterbury still had fourteen minutes to turn that round but failed to dent the home defence. Vigo took an early lead with a penalty goal before Ollie Finn crashed over for Pilgrims. It was silly penalties that hampered their first half progress and a yellow card for Luke Webber did not help. That handed the home side another three points before prop Will McColl powered over for a try converted by Dan Hills to recapture the lead. However, it was Vigo who went into half time one point ahead after another penalty gave them the chance to create a converted try. That slim advantage was quickly overtaken in the second half when Tom Halliday sent Ross Howard Howard in for Pilgrims third try, again converted by Hills, to leave them in a good position. Then came came those missed tackles which proved to be their undoing as Vigo nosed in front again with a converted try and the visitors had to be content with a losing bonus point.

vs Tonbridge Juddians

Canterbury Lose Physical Battle

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 35 TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS 44

by David Haigh

An epic derby battle ended in huge disappointment for Canterbury who saw a 23 point lead wrestled from their grasp as Juddians turned up the power in the second half. After seeing his battered troops just fail to hold the line Head Coach Matt Corker said: ” I could not fault the effort the boys put in but towards the end we were struggling physically and that was the difference.” An absorbing National 2 East game produced twelve tries and Canterbury, after conceding an early score to Josh Groocock, rattled in four in the first half hour. With fly half Charlie Kingsman converting the lot they seemed irresistible. Aiden Moss made all the running for Ben Cooper’s opener and when an under pressure Juddians lost Rob Louw to a yellow card they were punished with two scores in three minutes. Tom Best joined a driving maul to touch down and in the 25th minute his switch of play and good handling paved the way for Will Waddington. There was more come as the fragile visitors were carved open again and Guy Hilton had the simplest of run ins. As a platform for victory this was as good as it gets, but before half time the cracks appeared and the momentum swung, almost imperceptibly, to the visitors. With former Canterbury man Harvey Young always a danger they had passed up earlier chances but now hit back with tries from forwards Luke Boon and Charlie Munnelly. With a couple of conversions from Tom White Canterbury’s lead was down to eleven. A lucky break early in the second half, when KIngsman’s sliced drop goal attempt fell into the path of Moss, ended with Frank Morgan trotting under the posts but from then on Juddians were a controlling force. Now it was their turn to dominate possession, build the phases, win penalties and and suck the life out of Canterbury. Tries from Matteo Petrozzi, Duncan Tout and Young brought them within a point of a fading and injury prone team. The telling blow came four minutes from the end as wing Bryan Hotston was sent across the line and White converted. To add to Canterbury’s many frustrations, White’s late penalty goal denied them a second bonus point.

Canterbury: A.Moss, G.Hilton, W.Waddington, T.Best, F.Morgan, C.Kingsman, B.Cooper, B.Young, N.Morris, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, H.Andrews, A.Evans, C.Murray.

Replacements: A.Cooper, E.Lusher, F.W Edwards, H.Sansbury, W.Calder

Match photos
v Tonbridge Judds - 10 Sept 2022

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton
Match report vs North Walsham

OFF TO A FLYER

Posted on | by David Haigh

NORTH WALSHAM 22 CANTERBURY 38

by David Haigh

A flying start to the new season for Canterbury with a six try performance that earned them a maximum five league points. A burst of 26 points in the first 20 minutes of the second half swung the game decisively their way and despite a late surge from newly promoted North Walsham they never looked in danger of being caught. It was an eye-catching transformation for a city side who were behind at the break and failed to shake the long journey to Norfolk out of leaden legs and minds. They were also faced with a home side keen to make an impression in front of a record crowd and who exploited weak tackling to take a seventh minute lead with a try for prop Frank Scott, converted by sharp fly half Matt Hodgson. Tom Best pulled one back after Canterbury forced a five metre scrum but they were dull and lacking any go forward. Hodgson’s penalty pushed Walsham into a deserved five point lead by half time. After forty minutes of flat and dispiriting rugby Canterbury’s change of mood caught everyone by surprise, not least the home side’s defence. It took only one minute of the second half for Aiden Moss to open a gap and Best to grab his second try. Frank Reynolds converted and Canterbury were on the march. The ball carriers were suddenly eating up vital yards, everyone was on the front foot and when a catch and drive opportunity came Nathan Morris finished off. The back division, now enjoying quicker service, joined in the rampage and came up with tries for Charlie Kingsman and Ben Cooper, and with conversions by Reynolds and Best Canterbury coasted into a 31-10 lead. For Walsham the last quarter was a catch-up situation as they searched for a losing bonus point. They fought hard but found it beyond them despite a touch down by Will Hodgson, converted by brother Matt, and a last gasp score from Ethan Sikorski. Those tries were sandwiched by Canterbury’s sixth when a fumbled kick set up the chance for Guy Hilton to stroll over and Best to put the seal on a day that, in the end, turned out very well.

Canterbury: C.Kingsman, G. Hilton, W.Waddington, T.Best, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds, B.Cooper, E.Lusher, N.Morris, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.De Vries, A.Evans, H.Furneaux, J.Stephens. Replacements: A.Cooper, B.Young, C.Murray, A.Moss, W.Calder

Brighton vs CRFC

BRIGHTON 27 CANTERBURY 26

Posted on | by David Haigh

by Chris Fullbrook

Canterbury visited Brighton for the second of three pre-season warm up games and it was the home side that rocked. Brighton dominated the first 30 minute period, their first try gifted after an error in midfield allowed them to move the ball wide for an unconverted score.

In reply Tom Williams capitalised on a loose ball to kick through and touch down under the posts for Frank Reynolds to convert. However, Brighton finished the stronger of the first session with a converted score of their own and a 12-7 lead despite Canterbury dominating the set piece.

The second thirty-minute period saw Brighton control line out and scrummage with Canterbury looking out of sorts and a third home side score increased their lead to 17-7. With Head coach Matt Corker ringing the changes it was this blend of experience and youth that saw Canterbury play their most profitable rugby in the third period. Despite going further behind to another home score they fought back to take the lead with tries from Aaron Cooper, a close pick and drive; Guy Hilton taking a quick tap and catching the home side napping and Frank Morgan completing a well worked move down the left flank. With Reynolds converting two of the scores Canterbury were two points ahead and seemed to have rescued a disappointing day.

However Brighton took the win with a penalty kick minutes from time and defended desperately at the last as Canterbury were held up over the line.
The club completes their preseason programme on Friday (August 26th)) when they are at home to Westcombe Park. Kick-off 7.30pm.

CRFC vs BSRFC

Canterbury 21 Bishop’s Stortford 38

Posted on | by David Haigh

Pace and accuracy shifted this game decisively Bishop’s Stortford’s way as they dominated the second and third quarters. Just one score in front after the opening 20 minutes the Division One side ran in another five tries to remind Canterbury of their status. When the chances were created through sure handling and quick thinking they put them away and while the home side’s competitive instincts never deserted them their lack of accuracy and basic errors hobbled their ambition. That said, Canterbury did hit back strongly in the final quarter of a match played in 20 minute blocks and frequent changes to accommodate expanded squads. Stortford had to defend solidly in the early stages before their backs served notice by creating an overlap try for Charlie Parkhouse converted by Dan Cole, The lead didn’t last long as Will Waddington latched on to a shrewd kick from fly half Frank Reynolds for a Canterbury touchdown which Reynolds converted. Scrum half Connor Lloyd sniped over to recapture the advantage for Stortford but in the next 40 minutes they took command. Tries from Jake Morris, Parkhouse, Charlie Garwood and Luke Bury, plus three Cole conversions, put them well clear, The final session, however, saw Canterbury roar back into the game thanks to a pack which dominated the set scrums. Their work rewarded with a pick up and strong finish from Number Eight Harry Andrews. Tom Best converted and on a pitch that was in top class condition in this hot, dry summer they ended on high note when Best’s break set up a converted score for fellow centre Frankie Morgan.

Tom Williams

Match report – End of Season Spectacular, Canterbury Mens 1st XV v Bury St Edmunds

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

END OF SEASON SPECTACULAR

CANTERBURY 31 BURY ST EDMUNDS 34

by David Haigh

Canterbury’s season may have ended as it began with a narrow loss to Bury, this time to Charlie Reed’s last minute penalty goal, but this was still a game to savour. The biggest crowd of the season were treated to a feast of ten tries, some of them spectacular, in a cracking contest that had none of that end of term feel about it. Victory was important for Bury as it gave them a top six finish in National 2 South and after building a fourteen point lead in the second half their job seemed almost done. But Canterbury, who had lost their earlier intensity, rediscovered it to dominate the final fifteen minutes and draw level with two exhilarating tries. To then concede that late penalty was a frustrating own goal leaving them with two league points instead of three from the draw their efforts probably deserved. The game was alive from the off with Canterbury taking an early lead through a catch and drive try from Billy Young and Bury hitting back quickly when Ruraidh Williams’ break made a try for Matt Bursey. From then on it was nip and tuck until half time. Lovely foot work from Reed set up the first of Bury wing Ross Taylor’s three touchdowns, Alex Evans rewarded more close range work by the city pack and hooker Fin McCartney claimed Bury’s third try to edge his side ahead again. Canterbury clawed it back in the closing minute of the half, Young again finishing an organised driving maul. Reed’s two conversions against one by Will Hilton saw Bury two points in front at the break and everything nicely poised. However, one of Canterbury’s regular failings has been a drop in concentration in the third quarter and here it surfaced again. Bury’s fast moving wide game exposed them and Taylor completed his hat trick in the space three minutes, the first following a fine break by scrum half Chris Bolton and then capitalising on work by fellow wing Ciarian Leeson. Reed converted both tries and Canterbury had all the work to do. Inspiration for the fight back came from replacement scrum half Tom Williams who spotted space on the blind side and outpaced the Bury defence in a searing 70 metre run. Hilton converted and was left a much easier kick when clever footwork by fly half Frank Reynolds took him over between the posts to bring everything level and ten minutes remaining on the clock. Canterbury seemed to have the momentum but paid the penalty for hanging on to the ball at a ruck and Reed cooly slotted the winner with the last kick of a brilliant match.

Canterbury: W.Hilton, G.Hilton, F.Morgan (repl D.Heads), T. F.Reynolds, B.Cooper (repl T.Williams), A.Cooper, B.Young, E.Lusher (repl D.Herriott), J.De Vries (repl R.Cadman), J.Stephens, A.Evans (repl S.Churchyard), T.King, T.Oliver

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v Bury St Edmunds - 30 April 2022

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton