Category: Match Reports

Canterbury Dig Deep to Secure 15–10 Win Over Portsmouth Valkyries

Posted on | by Becca Williams

Canterbury dig deep to secure 15–10 win over Portsmouth Valkyries

Written by Amber Waitimas

Canterbury travelled to face Portsmouth Valkyries and came away with a hard-fought 15–10 victory in testing conditions. A combination of long travel, limited recent match time, hard ground, heat, and a persistent wind made for a challenging afternoon, but Canterbury showed resilience and determination to secure the win.
The opening exchanges saw Portsmouth apply early pressure, and they were first to get points on the board after forcing a penalty inside Canterbury’s 22. Opting to take the points, Portsmouth slotted the penalty to take an early lead.
Canterbury responded well, with scrum-half Ella Jenkins spotting a gap around the breakdown and breaking the line cleanly. She offloaded to El Crowe, who powered over the try line to score Canterbury’s first try of the match and shift momentum.
Portsmouth struck back with their first try following a sustained period of pressure. A series of pick-and-go phases under the posts allowed them to cross the line, and with a straightforward conversion, they regained the lead.
Canterbury had an opportunity to respond shortly after when a Portsmouth penalty provided field position. Robyn Gulley, stepping up at fly-half, opted to take the points, but the kick was unfortunately pushed off target with the assistance of the wind.
Despite some attacking promise, Canterbury continued to struggle with accuracy beyond the second phase. However, their set-piece dominance, particularly in the scrum, provided a strong platform throughout, thanks to the efforts of Lizzie Deverson, Rosie Payne, Alex Mills, Amber Waitimas, and Emma Alleyne.
Defensively, Canterbury were resolute. Hannah Sandeman was outstanding in midfield, repeatedly denying Portsmouth’s centres the gain line, while the back three, including Lola Yuille-Clough, impressive on her first outing at fullback, dealt confidently with both attacking threats and the difficult conditions. On the wing, Alice Hayward delivered a flawless defensive display, earning Back of the Match with a series of dominant one-on-one tackles.
The forwards continued to put in a tireless shift, with El Crowe consistently breaking the gain line and putting Portsmouth on the back foot. Captain Lucy Relf then added Canterbury’s second try, picking up the ball from a pick and go on the try line and taking it on the blindside to score.
In the closing stages, Rachel Betteridge made a huge impact off the bench, bringing physicality with big carries, tackles, and scrummaging effort, earning Forward of the Match honours.
The decisive moment came in the final ten minutes, when El Crowe crossed for her second try of the game, extending Canterbury’s lead. From there, Canterbury managed the game intelligently, maintaining possession and controlling territory to prevent Portsmouth from mounting a final comeback.
Credit must go to Portsmouth Valkyries, who delivered a determined and competitive performance throughout and never let the game slip away easily.
While not at their clinical best, Canterbury showed grit, adaptability, and strong defensive organisation to secure the result, proving that even on tough days, they have the ability to dig deep and get the job done.

Composure Wins The Day

Posted on | by David Haigh

GUERNSEY 29 CANTERBURY 33

by Chris Fullbrook

Canterbury produced a determined and resilient performance to overcome a physical Guernsey side in an entertaining and hard‑fought encounter, showing composure at key moments to claim a bonus point victory. The match began with an early setback for the city side when Guernsey crossed for a converted try after sustained pressure. A loose Canterbury pass was intercepted and, although Max Campbell won the subsequent foot race, he was tackled in goal. Guernsey opted repeatedly to scrummage from penalties close to the line and Matt Creber eventually powered over and full back Tom Teasdale converted. Canterbury responded impressively. Their first try came after a flowing passage of play, sparked by Harry Sloan breaking the line and sending Ryley Thomas through a gap. Quick hands followed as the ball moved via scrum‑half Presley Farrance and Luke Talbot, before Thomas, who had continued to support, finished the move. Frank Reynolds’ conversion brought Canterbury level. Momentum swung further in the visitors favour shortly afterwards. A penalty kicked to the corner and the resulting catch‑and‑drive proved too strong for the Guernsey defence, with Jimmy Walker applying the finishing touch and Reynolds again converting.

The game then tightened, with Canterbury temporarily reduced to 14 men when Thomas was shown a yellow card midway through the first half. Guernsey made that numerical advantage count, capitalising on another loose pass which was intercepted before centre Jon Dawe raced in from 20 metres out. The try went unconverted and Canterbury reached the break leading 14-12 but now with gusting wind at their backs.

They began the second half brightly, a speculative kick from fly‑half Reynolds causing problems for the Guernsey fullback. His fumble allowed Reynolds to regather before feeding captain Jamie Stephens who set Max Campbell free. The wing showed outstanding pace to finish in the corner for the city side’s third try. Minutes later, Guernsey struck back; a midfield penalty was kicked to the corner and, from the ensuing line‑out, replacement hooker Tom Ceillam was at the back of the maul to bring this tight match to 17-19. The islanders continued to press and were awarded a penalty try following a scrum five metres out and Canterbury hooker Eoin O’Donoghue was sin‑binned. Despite being down a man, the side showed real character. to take back the lead. Defending inside their own 22, Guernsey attempted a clearance from the base of a scrum that was charged down by Stephens. He gathered, fed Will Waddington and the centre calmly popped a pass to Walker, who powered over for his second try of the afternoon, converted by Reynolds. Guernsey mounted a final push in the closing quarter and struck again through Dawe, who scored his second after a break from influential fullback Anthony Armstrong. The missed conversion kept the game finely poised at 29-26. With the match in the balance, Canterbury showed maturity in the final minutes and deep inside Guernsey territory, Reynolds kicked a penalty to the corner. The resulting ten‑man driving maul—backs and forwards combined—proved decisive, with O’Donoghue redeeming his earlier sin‑binning by grounding the ball for the fifth and decisive converted try

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, M.Campbell, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, L.Talbot, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, J.De Vries, J.Stephens, J.Walker, R.Thomas, T.Oliver,. Replacements: J.Dengate, T.Williams, C.Macmillan, C.McGovern, A.English.

Pilgrims Match Report

Posted on | by Becca Williams

Pilgrims 41

Beckenham 22

 

The Pilgrims welcomed Beckenham to the MTG for their final home game of the season knowing that 2 wins from their final 3 games will secure their place in regional 2 for next season.

The reverse fixture was decided when the pilgrims missed the kick at goal with the final play of the game to give Beckenham the victory and the city side were keen to put that right and showed good intent from the first whistle as they attacked down the slope in the 1st half. The pilgrims looked solid in the set piece and that was giving the home backs a good platform to attack with Beckenham’s defence commendable in stopping a number of promising early attacks. The Pilgrims did get on the score sheet after 12 mins when a fine break from returning centre Garry Jones saw Tom Mackenzie in support to power over out wide for a 5-0 lead which was quickly followed by Owain Collins adding a second unconverted score before Beckenham hit back against the run of play to score a converted try, 10-7. HT.

Pilgrims kicked off the second half and instantly added their 3rd score when a loose Beckenham kick was secured by Constant and offloaded to Isaac Devine whose skillful run and offload found Collins who in turn put Bull in space before he found wingman Max Campbell who scored in the corner under pressure to cap a fine score that was converted well from the touchline by Hilton, 17-7. Beckenham looked to hit back and thought they had scored following a missed tackle by the ruck only for fullback Owain Collins to somehow get his body under the Beckenham player to prevent the grounding and force a goal line drop out.

The respite was short lived as Beckenham followed up with a fine break from their powerful number 8 and the Beckenham backs found their way over in the corner, 17-12.

Pilgrims added their bonus point score after good work from the forwards from a 5m penalty saw prop Cam MacMillan power over, 22-12. Max Campbell then added a 2nd following a strong run from Constant into heavy traffic, 29-12.

Beckenham were struggling to deal with pilgrims aggressive defence and an element of niggle started to enter the game. A push on Stan bull following a fine tackle saw him yellow carded after he was deemed to retaliate with a push of his own. Beckenham kicked the penalty to the corner and mauled well allowing them to break off the back and score out wide, 29-17. Pilgrims hit back 5 minutes later when fine interplay between forwards and backs saw pilgrims surge towards the line and only a cynical infringement from Beckenham prevented a score which saw their winger receive a yellow card and see both teams down to 14. Tom Mackenzie powered over from the resulting penalty to extend the lead to 36-17.

Pilgrims then gave away 2 penalties in quick succession that allowed Beckenham easy territory gains with the 2nd being kicked to the corner well. A well worked line out was mauled from 5meters out and the Beckenham scrum half broke off the back to dive over and score their bonus point try. 36-22.

With the clock ticking down the pilgrims added a further try-Man of the match James Everrat carried powerfully and bumped off an attempted tackler to get in behind. The ball was moved wide to Max Campbell and he dived over in the corner to cap a good pilgrims performance and bring the final score to 41-22. Pilgrims know that a win from either of their remaining two fixtures away at Battersea Ironsides on 11th April or Sutton & Epsom on 18th April will see them secure their place in regional 2 next season without the need for a playoff game.

Canons Match Report

Posted on | by Becca Williams

It was disappointment for the Canons, as a young Gravesend side came out winners in a close game at the MTG.

 

Expecting a big, physical opposition, it was all change for Gravesend as they lined up with a team full of graduating colts and youngsters.  Although Canterbury were strong in the tight opening phases, Gravesend quickly used the speed and pace advantage that their young side possessed to break and use the width to score in the corner.   Canterbury regathered, but it was almost a mirror play.  Although Canterbury got back to make a last ditch tackle, the referee deemed for there to have been a deliberate knock on in the covering defence which resulted in a yellow card.  Gravesend kicked from the corner and broke off from the maul to score.   From the kick off, there was a high tackle from Canterbury, resulting in a second yellow card and reducing Canterbury down to 13 players for a period of 9 minutes.  Despite this, the team kept Gravesend out, however in the last play of the half, Gravesend scored again to increase their advantage to 17-0 at the break.

 

After some strong words at half time, and a game plan to utilise the physical advantage that Canterbury had over Gravesend, the home team came out firing.  From a clearing kick, Josh Lamb collected the ball in the Canterbury half and broke through a number of tackles to score under the posts.    Gravesend reacted well, and responded within 5 minutes with a bonus point score of their own.  The home side were not going to roll over, and continued to use their forwards to break down Gravesend.  Scores followed for Ollie Jeffery from a well worked tap and go penalty, and shortly after from Adrian Geddes for the scoreline to read 19-24.  With 10 minutes to play, a fourth Canons try felt like it was on the cards, however poor execution and errors meant that Canterbury were unable to breach the tryline again.  Gravesend looked to end the game with a penalty kick for the posts, but this slid wide and the Canons maintained their losing bonus point.

 

With a break for Easter, the Canons have a tough run in for the end of the season, welcoming 2nd place Tunbridge Wells to the MTG, and visits to 4th place Whitstable and 3rd place Hastings.  Nonetheless, the team will be looking to have a positive end to the season, and cause an upset in these games.

Late Try Ends Victory Push

Posted on | by David Haigh

LONDON WELSH 22 CANTERBURY 21

by David Haigh

A late Welsh try settled a close but fitful game in which Canterbury never recaptured the high standards they achieved in their previous outing. It is said that the devil is in the detail and that was manifested by the city club’s lack of accuracy at key moments. Forward passes, small handling errors and failure to turn attacking positions into points let them down and, arguably, denied them a couple of important scores. Having taken the lead nine minutes before the end they had the opportunity to close out the game, but could not resist Welsh’s strong finish. Canterbury made the first breach when Jimmy Walker cleaned up untidy lineout possession to burrow over for a try converted by Frank Reynolds. By half time, however, it was Welsh, exploiting he slope cannily to set up position, who were eight points to the good. A driving maul brought a try for flanker Tom Williams and a flat pass, fired by fly half Matt Hodgson, sent wing Iwan Humphreys across for the second. Obstinate Canterbury defence resisted more heavy pressure before the break so Hodgson, who converted his side’s first score, settled for a penalty goal. Memories of the city side’s stunning second half effort two weeks ago were quickly revived when a fine driving maul was capped by a Ryley Thomas try and Reynolds’ conversion a minute after the break. But dawns can often prove false and it was not until deep into the final quarter that the city side found a way to edge ahead. Accuracy was missing, line breaks by Tyler Oliver and Frank Morgan went unrewarded and it wasn’t until until the 71st minute that another score came. Welsh were pinned in a corner, made a mess of their own lineout throw and Charlie McGovern pounced for the try. Reynolds was on target again, but the home side now grabbed the initiative. Two minutes from the end a penalty handed them a last catch and drive opportunity and Harry Breeze crashed over. Victory was down to a Hodgson conversion and he made no mistake.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, F.Morgan, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, L.Talbot, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, L.Young. J.Dengate, O.Frostick, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, J.Walker, M.Campbell, J.De Vries, D.Huntley, C.Oliver

Sittingbourne stun, Deacons devastated.

Posted on | by Becca Williams

Deacons vs Sittingbourne 2’s Match Report

Deacons 12- 48 Sittingbourne

Sittingbourne stun, Deacons devastated.

 

The urge to get back on the pitch after a month without any rugby was clear.

With both of our community rugby sides down to play at home there was a worry we might be stretched for players although it turned out to be the opposite & we readied a full squad made up of the C4 CCCU boys, UKC cohort, Gam Esan joining us from Colts for his first senior game, regular Deacons & recent recruit Alasdair Kite – new to the team, but not the game!

 

On paper and in practise the squad was one of the strongest teams we’ve fielded in a while & we know Sittingbourne are a fiercely competitive and very well trained squad who like to turn up when we play them.

 

The first 10 minutes was an arm wrestle. With both sides making advances and defending well. Deacons trying to shut down the space quickly to avoid the Sittingbourne forwards building momentum, and in reply moving the ball wide in attack.

Once again the different Deacons line up took some time to gel having not all played together before, meanwhile Sittingbourne’s set plays and movements with the ball in hand looked straight off the training pitch.

The away side drew first blood with a converted try, a chance to gather breath and reset for us. It wasn’t bad, just a couple of things that needed tidying up & we’d be straight back in the game. That was the plan anyway…..

 

The next 25 minutes or so were really tough to swallow. When we got close to the Sittingbourne try line we couldn’t turn it into points, when we should’ve been clear and in, the referee called us back for some bizarre calls & getting past Sittingbournes defences was like pushing cooked spaghetti through a marshmallow. Lots of effort for little reward.

On the other side, the visitors were enjoying having been smiled upon by fortune, with the official not seemingly in a position to see various knock on’s, offsides and off feet infringements the run of play quickly went Bournes way with the Deacons struggling to gain and maintain any sort of possession.

We ended the first half at 0-29, more than a little shell shocked having conceded a couple of really soft tries in the run up.

 

Halftime Haribo, subs on and some spirited words from Limmer (available for motivational speaking roles from May).

It would be a monumental challenge to come back against such experienced opponents but the boys were revved up and ready to take it to the visitors as the second half began.

 

Almost instantly from kick off the City team went at it. Moving the ball around effectively and releasing Gam Esan to score (on his debut) using his phenomenal pace – we’re hoping to keep him away from the other sides in the club but I’m sure he’ll be playing further up the club before long.

Dan Head returned to the fold to kick the extras and we were off the mark after an excruciating wait.

The second half settled down with much of the match going the way of the first half. Even when Bourne had suffered a yellow we didn’t manage to capitalise. They were able to tot up some more points getting across the try line regularly.

 

With just under 10 to go, after sustained pressure Canterbury went over the white wash once more courtesy of Will Wheeler Edwards, returning to rugby and to form after some time away.

Spirits were still high & the Deacons were still playing hard. Terrell was carrying well and devastating through the middle. Millsy steadied up the second half scrum & Hayden Prett was almighty across the pitch for the full 80.

With 4 minutes left it looked as if we were going to get over again & reliably, almost habitually something changed which saw a penalty awarded against us.

Sittingbourne capitalised with their final try of the game ending a high scoring 2nd half 12-48. Not representative of the almighty efforts of the Deacons it was a really painful defeat for a side who have experienced more than their fair share this season.

Notwithstanding the 21 points gifted to them, Sittingbourne showed us how well organised and experienced they are & the importance of not missing tackles.

 

On a different note – Sittingbourne fielded a team with a father playing with 2 of his sons.

Congratulations to the Duffield men – absolute quality and we are pleased to share in your achievements. Well done boys, fantastic you could share the pitch together.

 

Hayden Prett was out POTM and he left with a Chicken Fajita pot noodle for all of his efforts.

And an honorable mention to Alasdair Kite who had an immense game having recently joined us. Can’t wait to have him back again.

 

We’re away to Deal on the 21st March, 4 games remain of the season to end it on a high.

 

We go again 💪

Pilgrims Match Report v Old Colfeians

Posted on | by Becca Williams

Old Colfeians 45
Pilgrims 7

The Pilgrims travelled to old Colfeians having beaten them at the MTG in a high scoring encounter earlier in the season, but knowing they are very good set piece oriented side not to be underestimated. The early exchanges show cased both sides intent- Colfeians looking to maul and scrummage at every opportunity and the pilgrims looking to attack through their pacey backline.
With the early exchanges suggesting it would be an even encounter, the pilgrims looked to gain the upper hand when the colf’s fullback was given a yellow card for 2 high tackles in quick succession, but it was colf’s who opened the scoring- mauling effectively from a lineout to power over from close range which was well converted from out wide. The pilgrims attacking impetus was dealt a blow shortly after when scrum half Fin Mason-Myers was forced from the field with a dislocated shoulder before Prop Dan Gill was yellow carded for a breakdown infringement when defending the try line. The scrum which had parity at that point, was then a man down which allowed Colfeians to drive over from 5m out and extend their lead to 14-0.
The pilgrims looked dangerous when moving the ball wide at pace, but a combination of poor decision making and good Colfeians defence meant their attacks came to nothing. A second 5 m scrum resulted in a second pushover try out wide to give Colfeians a 19-0 lead. The pilgrims then looked to apply sustained pressure before half time and got themselves on the score board when Hilton and Constant combined to send Owain Collins over when he cut a powerful line to score, with Hilton converting 19-7. On the stroke of half time Collins intercepted a colf’s pass with an open field ahead of him but the referee ruled the pilgrims defence were offside. Colfeians kicked to the corner and despite good pressure at the lineout, the loose ball was picked up by Colfeians who powered over from close range to make it 24-7.
The second half unfolded in a similar vein to the first with Pilgrims’ showing lots of intent to move the ball, but good defence and trying to force the final pass prevented pilgrims from adding to their score. Each side received a yellow card with Max Campbell sin binned while defending the pilgrims try line and Colfeians flyhalf given his marching orders for the same offence at the other end. Colf’s were more clinical and added another driving maul try followed up by another scrum driven over from 5m out by the big Colfeians pack. As the clock ticked down they added arguably the try of the day where they moved the ball wide to score in the corner and give them a 45-7 win. The Colfeians captain agreed the scoreline flattered the home side and didn’t reflect what was a much more even contest, but ultimately it was a day in which the city side threw a number of big punches but failed to find the target. Next week the Pilgrims return to the MTG and host joint table toppers Sidcup in what promises to be another hard hitting encounter.

Team:
A. Smith,Bull,Gill,Nicholson,Hunt,McKenzie, Devine, McCormack, Mason-Myers,English, Constant,Collins,Fielder,Campbell,Everatt, Ingram, Philpott.

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

Posted on | by Becca Williams

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!

Stunning Second Half Performance

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 51 OUNDLE 33

by David Haigh

A Canterbury side that looked almost down and out staged a magnificent second half revival to fight their way to this comprehensive victory. Trailing 28-7 at the break, the city side’s total domination of the next 40 minutes stunned title chasing Oundle with six tries and a lesson in discipline and game management. The visitors, who had overwhelmed National 2 East leaders Old Albanians the previous week, had every right to feel they had done another good job with four first half tries and a bonus point secured. A defensive lapse handed them an early lead through wing Rian Hamilton’s try and a Ben Young conversion. That attracted a swift reply when Frank Reynolds neat grubber kick saw Aiden Moss win the race for the touch down and Reynolds add the goal points, but Oundle took charge of the rest of the half. Their most efficient weapon, the driving maul, produced tries for Tevita Vaenuku and Anthony Maka and, in the closing minute, Hamilton registered his second, Canterbury being duly punished for overthrowing a lineout. The accurate Young topped up all three scores to put even greater distance between the sides. However, signs that Oundle’a confidence might have been misplaced were quickly flagged after the interval as Canterbury came out with a new mind set and made a statement with two tries in the first ten minutes. A quick lineout drill set up Tyler Oliver’s score, converted by Reynolds, and a yellow card for the visitors proved costly as the city side established themselves in attacking territory and scrum half Presley Farrance found the gap. Canterbury, curing many of the set piece problem that had plagued them in first half, kept up the pressure with another close quarter finish by Jamie Stephens, converted by Reynolds. Once again Oundle, shut down by an aggressive home defence, lost their discipline as Maka went to the sin bin for a high tackle and they paid the price as Canterbury went in front for the first time. Frank Morgan, fresh from the replacements bench, got the try. as the attack was spread wide. The badly shaken visitors hit back briefly through Matt Collins as they got a rare chance of a catch drive, but they had no more answers to a vibrant city side as Morgan bagged his second and Reynolds drove home the victory message with a penalty goal and a drop goal. In the final minute he added his fifth conversion when Tyler Oliver strolled over for Canterbury’s final try to crown a remarkable afternoon.

Canterbury: K. Heatherley, A.Moss, D.Tout, W.Waddington, L.Talbot, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, L.Young, J.Dengate, O.Frostick, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, J.Walker, R.Thomas, T.Oliver. Replacements; C.Oliver, P.Farrance, F.Morgan, J.De Vries, E.O’Donoghue

Mud, Moments and Margins at Hove Women

Posted on | by Becca Williams

By Amber Waitimas

17-10

On a muddy, rain-soaked afternoon, it was always going to be a test of composure and physicality. The heavy conditions made expansive rugby difficult, but the squad adapted well and delivered a determined, competitive performance from start to finish.

The forwards laid a strong foundation, working tirelessly in the tight exchanges and holding their own at scrum time. Emma Alleyne and Ellie Rowe combined excellently in the second row, consistently making powerful carries and helping to organise and control the defensive line. Their work rate and physical presence were key throughout. Meghan Rhodes also made a huge impression on her debut, smashing into contact with some excellent carries and showing real dominance in the scrum.

The impact from our forward replacements was also clear to see. Fresh legs brought renewed energy at important stages of the match, and they carried with purpose and defended with real intent. The challenging conditions did not faze them, and their contribution ensured we maintained momentum and intensity across the game.

Despite the slippery ball and heavy ground, there were still bright moments in attack. Lola Yuille-Clough was a constant threat throughout, somehow making running in what felt like a mud pit look easy. One of her powerful breaks resulted in a well earned try, and she later came agonisingly close to adding a second, only to be tackled into touch near the line. Emily Kent, Lily Philpott and El Crowe also made strong breaks, showing determination to create opportunities whenever space appeared.

Another highlight came from a well worked team move following a penalty on the five metre line. The squad showed great composure and accuracy in executing the phase play, creating the space for Alice Hayward to cross the line for a deserved try.

In defence, Emily Moriarty produced several outstanding try saving tackles that proved crucial in keeping the contest tight. Those moments of commitment and awareness made a significant difference.

Overall, it was a very good, closely fought game that could have gone either way. The opposition perhaps adapted slightly better to the conditions and the referee on the day, and the style of play suited their squad marginally more. Nonetheless, there is plenty to be proud of in what was a resilient, upbeat and committed team performance.