Category: Match Reports

Canons dig deep to keep title charge on track

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

With 5 games to go this season, the Canons knew that victory was the only option against a tough Bromley side to ensure that the Counties 4 title comes to the MTG in April.

The game did not start as intended with Bromley quickly scoring from the kickoff with a missed tackle on the wing allowing the fullback space to chip and chase and gather the ball and score under the posts.

The Canons responded however, winning a penalty in front of the post and choosing to take the points – the message before the game being to keep the scoreboard ticking over. This was quickly followed by a try from Captain Ben Jones, who battled over from short range. A second penalty preceded a second score from Will Rayner after some good footwork on the wing before Bromley responded with their own try just before the halftime whistle. At the break, the Canons lead 20 points to 15.

Bromley carried that momentum into the second half, playing with intent and putting pressure on the Canons’ defence. Canterbury‘s discipline started to slip which resulted in a number of penalties for Bromley allowing them to kick deep into the Canons half. Eventually, they made the most of the pressure and scored a converted try to take the lead.

However, it was in the last 15 minutes that the Canons switched back on and showed why they have been so dominant in this league. Good interplay created gaps in the Bromley defence, allowing Josh Lamb to break through and score under the posts. This was followed by a Harry Jackson try who, playing with intent, collected the ball outwide to charge over for a try.
From the kickoff the Canons won back the ball deep in their half and moved it through the hands to allow Lamb to break down the wing to get close before Vaughan Rothery dived over from close range.

With Bromley heads down, the final try of the afternoon was the pick of the bunch. Strong carries got the Canons back into the Bromley half, which allowed Will Rayner to play a beautiful grubber in behind the defence which was collected by Lamb to grab his second of the afternoon. Job done.

With 2 tough away games to come against Cliffe and 2nd place Old Williamsonians (the prior beating the latter this weekend!), the Canons know that their fate is in their hands for the run into the end of the season.

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.

POWER AND ACCURACY COUNT

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

CANTERBURY 23 TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS 46

by David Haigh

The league leaders gave Canterbury an impressive demonstration of accuracy and finishing power as they marched to this National 2 East victory. They built a winning platform in the first half, held off a spirited challenge in the third quarter then closed out the game decisively with three tries in the final ten minutes. An early lead for the city side, from a Frank Reynolds penalty goal, was quickly wiped out by a hat trick of tries by Juddians hooker Will Colling, all if them coming directly or indirectly from catch and drives as Canterbury paid the price of conceding penalties. Their troubles were compounded by injuries to full back Kurt Heatherley and wing Harvey Young, which meant a reshuflle of the back division, but after Colling had struck twice and the conversions failed , Reynolds kept them in touch with two further penalty goals. When Juddians pounced again with a third try, spreading the ball from a driving maul before Colling barreled over, the kick was again off target but two minutes before the break they worked a bonus point score for prolific wing Curtis Barnes and their first successful conversion opened a 22-9 lead. It was, however a newly energised Canterbury that emerged for the second half to put Juddians under sustained pressure. It brought them a try through Frank Morgan’s powerful finish and Reynolds conversion narrowed the gap to six points. But for all the territory they occupied and pressure applied in this dominant period the city side could not turn it into further scores. Handling errors were the chief culprit against an aggressive visiting defence and a Connor Lloyd penalty goal for Juddians disrupted the flow. Canterbury could not be faulted for effort but they faded and were ruthlessly exposed in the closing stages. A break in midfield left Howard Packman a straight run in; Lloyd spotted acres of space on the blind side of a maul to hand Barnes his second try and, as Canterbury gamely tried to attack, Charlie Self intercepted Reynolds pass to charge in for the seventh try. Lloyd converted all of them but there was last minute consolation for the city side when Sam Rogers, who worked tirelessly all day, forced his way over and Reynolds conversion ended a contest in which the title chasers were, unmistakably, the better side.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, G.Jones, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, H.Young, F.Reynolds, P.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, S.Rogers, T.Oliver. Replacements: T.Best, H.Furneaux, A.Cooper, O.Frostick, J.De Vries.

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v Tonbridge Juddians - 15 Feb 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

CANTERBURY 23 TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS 46

Deacons Dominate in Biggest Win of the Season

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

It was time to bounce back after a difficult defeat to Thanet last week. A fast start was needed with the team keen to put some early points on the board. From kick off the Deacons made their intentions clear working effectively to get over the gain line.

The backs scored after 10 minutes quickly followed by a 2nd through the centres. 2 more followed before the break with no response from the visitors. Returning Deacons Josh Lamb was accurate with the boot to add the extras.

After losing a player to injury, Leon Benning played the second half in Vigo colours causing the Deacons defence some trouble while also demonstrating some of the teams core values of sportsmanship.

The second half saw Canterbury run in try after try with the final score standing at 72-0. Our win of the season.

Great effort from Vigo who played through until the last minute against stiff opposition.

POTM – Lennie ‘Westside’ West

Winning Run Ends

Posted on | by David Haigh

WESTCOMBE PARK 22 CANTERBURY 18

by David Haigh

A six match winning streak came to a sticky and disappointing end in the Westcombe Park mud in a game where Canterbury enjoyed the bulk of the territory but could not find enough ways to outwit a solid defence. This clash of two in-form Kent sides was always going to be a tight affair but it was ‘Combe’s ability to absorb pressure and make the most of their chances that gave them the edge. They were helped by a poor start from Canterbury who conceded eight points in the first five minutes, through a long range penalty goal from Nathan Wyman and Cal Devine’s try. It was made by Combe skipper Nick Cooke who burst through some poor tackling before giving the flanker a clear run. Those early set backs jolted the city side into life and, aided by Combe indiscipline, they dominated much of the rest of the half. With a heavy penalty count in their favour they won plenty of field position but the match was into its second quarter before any points came via a catch and drive try by Sam Rogers. They missed out on a second try, the last pass going forward, but a Frank Reynolds penalty goal brought Canterbury level. Combe’s effective work at the breakdown in slowing down possession kept the city side at bay and two minutes before the break they conceded a second try. A penalty won the home side position and when the ball was worked into midfield more suspect defence allowed Cook to rumble over. Wyman converted to open a 15-8 lead. Combe built on that advantage in the 55th minute with try from centre Matt Harrison after a forward charge opened a gap. Wyman landed his second conversion and as the conditions condemned the game to a foot slog that fourteen point lead proved crucial. Canterbury fought back to dictate territory and probed, often promisingly, through the back division but never quite made a breakthrough. A yellow card for Ben Charnock left the home side short handed and the city side did make that count, building the phases for a Jamie Stephens try which Reynolds converted. The score came in the 63rd minute but despite continuing pressure the home defence stood firm and a late penalty goal from Reynolds, together with a losing bonus point, was the most Canterbury could salvage.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, G.Jones, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, T.Williams, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, C.McGovern, S.Rogers, T.Oliver. Replacements: C.Macmillan, A.Moss, O.Frostick, J.DeVries, H.Young

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v Westcombe Park - 8 Feb 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

HARD WORK AT WORTHING

Posted on | by David Haigh

WORTHING 25 CANTERBURY 29

by Chris Fullbrook

Canterbury extended their winning streak to six games but were made to work hard for it by National 2 East’s bottom club. It was the home side that struck first with hooker Harrison Dakin on the back of a five-metre lineout catch and drive but Charlie Spencer was unable to add the extras. A missed penalty by Canterbury’s Frank Reynolds was followed closely by the loss of Chad Thomas to a shoulder injury. Having re-grouped, the city side then scored twice within ten minutes, the first from in-form full back Kurt Heatherley, capitalising on a spilt cross field kick from Tom Best. The versatile Tom Williams, scrum half by trade but playing on the wing, got the second, cutting inside his opposite number and showing the defence a clean pair of heels to score under the posts. Reynolds added the extras to both tries. Worthing rallied and having had the lion’s share of the first half possession, fielded a missed touch kick before drawing in the Canterbury defence to send winger Spencer across in the opposite corner, but he was unable to convert to his own score. Only four points ahead at the start of the second half, Canterbury lost centre Tom Best to the sin bin for a team yellow card, having been on a warning from Referee Max Marshall from the previous half. However, it was the city side who scored whilst down to fourteen men after strong attacking from their forwards and quick hands out wide paved the way for the league’s top try scorer, Garry Jones, to add to his tally. Reynolds failed with the conversion but was on target with a penalty minutes later to stretch the visitors lead to twelve points. Canterbury now looked to be dominating the game but an interception and 80 metre run to the posts from Worthing skipper ack Forrest, plus Tom Derrick’s conversion, allowed the home side to get their heads up. When centre Derrick grabbed another try four minutes later Worthing were eyeing only their second victory of the season. The decisive score, however, went to Canterbury who were awarded a penalty try when home Number Eight Frank Taggart pulled down a close range maul, having entered from the side. Worthing ended the stronger of the two sides but were only able to add a further three points, a penalty goal from the boot of Derrick, to gain a much deserved second bonus point.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, G.Jones, W.Waddington, T.Best, T.Williams, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, S.Rogers, T.Oliver. Replacements: A.Cooper, T.Mackenzie, D.Irvine, H.Young, M.Campbell,

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v Worthing - 1 Feb 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Deacons battle bravely but Babarians prove too strong in tough encounter

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Entertaining the top of the table side was always going to be a challenge. Babarians have only lost 1 game all season & their quality was never in question on Saturday.

However, the Deacons aren’t afraid of a challenge; the Babarians soon realised they weren’t going to have it all their own way as they struggled to break the deadlock in the midst of a ferocious home defensive effort and a string of intense counter attacks managed by the half backs around the pitch.

After 25 minutes Babarians managed to take the lead before scoring once more 10 minutes after.

Never deterred & buoyed by a disallowed try, the Deacons replied shortly before halftime ending 5-12 at the break.

The second half was a different game altogether. Babarians showed their class and strength in numbers & enjoyed a couple of lucky bounces. A pair of quick tries around the hour mark & a second disallowed try for us saw the visitors build a healthy lead.

Not content with letting them have it all their own way, we continued to stretch their defense with the ball in hand & challenge their pack at scrum time despite the Babarians significant front row size advantage.

FT 5-41
Player of the match Oli Turton
Jadyn Moore stand out player
Honourable mentions to the entire team – we keep building!

Canons stumble at the summit: Colfeians hold leaders to frustrating draw

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

The Canons were given a wake up call against Old Colfeians on Saturday, being held to a 19-19 draw and reminded that life at the summit of Counties 4 should not be taken be taken for granted

Colfe’s came out of the blocks with intensity and pace, with strong carrying from their forwards creating quick ball for the next phases. The Canons’ defence held firm, however, and it was only a lucky bounce of the ball that allowed Colfe’s to get the ball wide and score in the corner. 5-0. Following the kick off, the Canons upped their own intensity, and after a sustained period in the opposition 22, it was only a silly penalty, of which there were plenty that afternoon, that released pressure and allowed OC’s to exit. Colfes capitalised on this and worked their way up field to eventually bundle over from a close range line out. In the final 5 minutes of the half, Canterbury finally woke up and scored from their own driving lineout to close the gap to 12-5 at the break.

Colfes started the second half with the same intensity, and missed tackles and a good line from their 6 allowed the opposition in under the posts to score their third.
After a talking to and wake up call, Canterbury finally turned on their game. Good play in the midfield allowed the ball to get wide to Will Rayner and score out wide. Josh Lamb slotted the touch line conversion. 19-12.

From kick off, Canterbury collected the ball and again built good phases, putting pressure on the Colfe’s defence. It was only a return of the silly penalties which stopped the Canons from breaking through, forcing them to start their attack again from their half as Colfes exited. Eventually, Canterbury got within 5m of the try line, and captain Harry Nicholson crashed over to score, the conversion scored by Henry Carruthers. 19-19. In the final 10, the momentum was with the Canons, and after Colfes collected the ball following a chip and chase by Canterbury in the final play, their 10 kicked the ball out. A frustrating end, but a fair result on the day. If only there were 5 minutes of the game, the scoreline may have been in the Canons’ favour.

With another away game next week against a Kings College Hospital side who have had mixed results throughout the season, the Canons will look to get back to winning ways and consolidate their position at the top of Counties 4

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.

BEST OF THE SEASON

Posted on | by David Haigh

HAVANT 5 CANTERBURY 61

by David Haigh

The bare statistics of this Canterbury performance read as follows: nine tries scored, a winning run now standing at five games and the season’s biggest victory which closed the gap on third placed Dorking in the National 2 East league table to just two points. Equally impressive was the combination of efficiency and panache they displayed in achieving this win. The city side arrived with a reshuffled squad plagued by injury and illness but their flexibility and depth of talent banished any doubts as they produced a stunning display of attacking rugby. They were thirty points in front by half time, with a try bonus secured, and after a cautious start proved deadly with the ball in hand. An early Frank Reynolds penalty goal was the only score until the nineteenth minute when the fly half’s pin point cross kick was plucked out of the air by Kurt Heatherley for the opening try. The work in the loose of an aggressive pack now began to pay dividends, with back row trio of Chad Thomas, Sam Rogers and Tyler Oliver in prime form. Havant, vulnerable in defence and eclipsed at the line outs, had no answers as Canterbury used their domination of possession to maximum effect. Adventurous handling created a wonderful second try which started behind their own line, went the length of the field and Garry Jones finished off. A catch and drive from the pack was next with Eoin O’Donoghue touching down and the bonus point score went to Rogers who was on the end of more swift off loading. A second penalty goal and conversion from Reynolds completed the first half set and it took just two minutes of the new half for Havant to crack again, Jones’ powerful hand off making space for Oliver’s try. Havant rallied over the next twenty minutes as Canterbury’s ball retention went missing but they found the city defence a real stumbling block. The hosts came away with just a catch and drive try from Cam Boa but in the final quarter Canterbury overpowered them with four more tries, three of them converted. As the frequent line breaks came and Havant wilted there was one for Tom Best, back on first team duty, quickly followed by Tom Williams and Harvey Furneaux and another for that serial poacher O’Donoghue who rounded off Canterbury’s memorable afternoon with a score from a quick tap penalty in the final minute.
Canterbury: K.Heatherley, G.Jones, W.Waddington, T.Best, T.Williams, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E. Donoghue, D.Herriott, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, S.Rogers, T.Oliver. Replacements: A.Cooper, H.Furneaux, M.Campbell, O Frostick, D.Irvine

After the game Head Coach Matt Corker said:
“I am very happy with how clinical we were in attack. There were obviously a good number of tries but I don’t feel like we wasted many opportunities, which is pleasing. There was also a very important period early in the second half, after we had conceded, where our hard work in defence kept a physical Havant “team from adding to their tally. The way we wrestled back control from this pressure shows the progress we are making.” 

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v Havant - 25 Jan 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton