Category: Match Reports

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

View match photos

v Bury St Edmunds - 30 April 2022

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Match Report – Guernsey Ladies v Canterbury Ladies

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

GUERNSEY 11 CANTERBURY 60

By Claire Bernthal

Canterbury Ladies took to the Footes Lane fields in Guernsey, through a tunnel of rapturous applause from the Canterbury Men and travelling supporters.

Starting at great pace the dynamic fullback, Jemma-Jo Linkins, ran in a fantastic solo try side stepping her way down the pitch. Swiftly converting it herself.

Canterbury built a steady lead as they put on an impressive display of aggressive defence and well-structured attacking play. Adding to an already strong debut season for the City side, Jess Pettafor added 5 points with an impressive display of pace down the right wing, following a line out steal from flanker Lucy Relf. Anneka Willis then scored after Liz Spruin turned a Guernsey ball over in defence. Linkins converted both setting up a 21-0 lead.

Guernsey opened their account with a penalty in front of the posts.

Player of the match, fly-half Rachel Austerberry, opened her account with a dominant break. Following a slick pick and go from the base of a centre field scrum by no. 8 Mimi Montgomery, a cheeky offload from scrum half Charlotte Andrews.

Dominant scrummaging, inspired by the formidable front row of Daniella Charles, Inger Philpott, and Tasha Weir, opened up the field for the backs to attack. Linkins ran in her second of the afternoon which she converted.

A lapse in discipline in front of the Canterbury posts saw Guernsey secure a further 3 points from the tee.

The half concluded with centre Olivia Haywood intercepting a ball and quickly popping in the tackle to fly-half Austerberry. In a stunning break she ripped through the heart of the Guernsey defence with a series of incredible fends. Linkins converting once more.

Starting the second half with a 38-6 lead Canterbury were keen to kick on and enjoy the final 40 minutes of the season.

Kate Rutherford added a further 5 points following an impressive rolling maul. But with the wind against her Linkins failed to convert.

The next try saw winger Alice Hayward turn the ball over with one of her aggressive tackles. Centre Tilly Chilton pounced on the ball then popped to Pettafor who ran in the try.

Forward of the match Philpott made a bust through the centre and offloaded to Austerberry. She accelerated away from the tiring Guernsey players to secure her first hat trick in the amber and black jersey.

Guernsey never gave up the fight and their fly half scored out on the wing following and swift series of pick-and-go plays.

With the minutes slipping away Canterbury fought back from the kick off. Impact substitutes: Alexis Scarpulla, Chloe Oakley, Lauren Windsor, Amber Waitimas and Octavia Andall bought much needed energy into the attack.

Captain Andrews took advantage of a penalty and put Guernsey on the back foot. With the forwards storming up the centre of the pitch. Veteran member of the team Claire Bernthal made a break round the fringes of a ruck. A slick offload to flanker Alice Crabb, who came sprinting through at pace to score a final try of the season which Linkins converted.

The squad undoubtedly put on a fantastic display of passionate, energetic, attacking rugby which demonstrated to all watching why they ladies were crowned league champions.

 

Match photographs may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

v Guernsey Ladies

Match Report – Guernsey RFC v Canterbury Mens 1st XV

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

GUERNSEY 33 CANTERBURY 33

In a terrific climax a penalty try in the last minute of this National 2 South game gave Canterbury a late share of the points after they had squandered a healthy lead.

They opened a 21-point gap in the first nineteen minutes but poor discipline, which cost them three yellow cards, handed Guernsey all the incentive they needed to dominate the second half.
It was the Channel Islander’s own indiscretions, however, that denied them victory as they came under sustained pressure in the dramatic closing minutes.

An impressive driving maul was stopped illegally, and referee Neil Sweeney had no hesitation in awarding the penalty try to Canterbury.

It was all so different in the early stages with Canterbury cruising ahead smoothly with tries from Ben Cooper, half back partner Frank Reynolds and Alex Evans, all converted by Tom Best.

Guernsey got their breath back with a converted try from Anthony Armstrong but despite temporarily losing Frank Morgan to the first of their yellow cards, the city side soon claimed a bonus point with a fourth touchdown when full back Aiden Moss delivered one of his scorching runs.

Guernsey made their extra man count just before half time through Callum Roberts’ try but Canterbury were still sitting in box seat with a fourteen point advantage.

It was a cushion that quickly became deflated in the second half which the home side dominated and as the yellow cards flew, first for Will McColl and then Sam Sterling, the city defences crumbled.

Going into the last quarter Guernsey had forged ahead with tries from Ciaran McGann, Owen Thomas, and Oscar Baird, with Thomas converting them all.

But when Canterbury found themselves in the last chance saloon they kicked down the doors in powerful fashion and it earned them three league points.

 

Match photographs may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

v Guernsey

Match Report – Canterbury Ladies v Guernsey

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

CANTERBURY LADIES 49 GUERNSEY LADIES 20

A final home fixture of the season saw a strong victory for Canterbury’s ladies, confirming themselves as champions.

Upon kick off some untidy catch-attempts from Guernsey saw Canterbury gain the upper hand with an early turnover penalty which was taken as a tap-and-go, only to be shortly turned back over by Guernsey who also opted to tap the ball, a commonly chosen route throughout the game.

Some well executed offloading, paired with a huge line-break by Mimi Montgomery which left Guernsey disorganised landed the ball in the hands of Jess Pettafor, who needed only to sidestep a player to score the first try of the game in the fifth minute. With her attempt at conversion being charged down by a Guernsey player.

Shortly after kicking back off, Mimi Montgomery once again made herself the centre of attention with a swift interception and 30 metre dash before being reached by the opposition, however the defence had already been opened for Canterbury to run the ball almost to the Guernsey 22 – only to be stopped by a well timed tackle into touch.

All was relatively quiet from then, until the 13th minute when Montgomery once more made a dash through the defensive line from 15 metres out to score the second try of the match.

A well placed box kick by Charlotte Andrews bounced almost perfectly in Canterbury’s favour, with Guernsey misplaced to collect it out the sky, and chasing Ella Jenkins was quick to strike a tackle, and Rachael Austerberry’s keen eyes made sure it played out perfectly by spotting the ball and scooping it up as it came loose from the ruck: enabling yet another pitch-long run for the team as they offloaded from player to player, however a knock-on scuppered their hopes of furthering their lead.

A high tackle in the 20th minute on Alice Hayward saw the referee show a red card, leaving Guernsey with only 14 players with an hour of play remaining.

Canterbury seized upon this opportunity by kicking to touch, playing a classic catch-and-drive which took advantage of the lacking backline and allowed Anneka Willis to dive for the line – giving Canterbury a lead of three tries to nought.

Guernsey were not to be taken so easily, however, finding a straight shot at the uprights after a penalty was given in their favour, ensuring they would not head home empty handed.

A quick retaliation from Canterbury on the back of a scrum was once again spearheaded by Mimi Montgomery being unstoppable in her pace, scoring the fourth try for Canterbury, her second.

A clean cross-field kick by Olivia Haywood paired with some good footballing by Jess Pettafor allowed the fullback to score her second try of the match, making the score 25 – 3 where it would remain until half time, despite the best efforts of both sides to improve their position further.

The second half became quite different, Guernsey took the time to assess what their weaknesses were, as well as figuring out where Canterbury were struggling, and despite having a player deficit came back stronger.

The assessment showed through, with Canterbury being held in their 22 for ten minutes, until a penalty went Canterbury’s way and despite the kick not finding touch, Montgomery continued their form chasing after the ball as quick as can be and ensuring Guernsey could make only a few metres back.

Willis’ boot became something of a staple in the second half, constantly kicking just right – earning Canterbury a lineout just within the opposing half – and once again Montgomery got the ball and was off, running 40 metres to score herself a third try, and being dutifully converted by Anneka Willis.

A try and conversion for Guernsey demonstrated a determination to keep fighting, and a strength to compete despite the early red.

The game continued to be a smooth blend of fast backs and physical forwards, with a series of pick-and-go’s on the Guernsey line to eventually open a gap for Elizabeth Spruin to dart through and score a try just off centre from the posts.

The visiting side took the initiative after resuming play, kicking the ball along until a penalty in front of the try line was taken with a quick tap to the surprise of Canterbury, scoring a second try and converting with 14 minutes remaining to play.

Quick hands after a scrum had the ball reach Olivia Haywood who capitalised on the weakened back line of Guernsey, running across the field to score herself a try,

Guernsey’s last score came with six minutes remaining, again scoring from a short burst through the line to touch the ball down immediately afterwards.

The final scoring moment of the game came when Canterbury, unwilling to rest on their laurels, reused the power of Mimi Montgomery to score a ninth try for the side, fourth for Montgomery.

Tries: Jess Pettafor (2), Mimi Montgomery (4), Anneka Willis (1), Elizabeth Spruin (1), Olivia Haywood (1).

Conversions: Anneka Willis (2)

Canterbury: D. Charles, I. Philpott, T. Weir, A. Willis, A. Crabb, L. Windsor, L. Relf, M. Montgomery, C. Andrews ©, R. Austerberry, A. Hayward, O. Haywood, T. Chilton, E. Jenkins, J. Pettafor. Replacements: B. Gayson, C. Bernthal, M. West, C. Oakley, E. Spruin

Match photographs may be subject to copyright – Jack Lloyd

Canterbury Ladies v Guernsey Ladies [2022-04-17]