Deacons battle bravely but Babarians prove too strong in tough encounter

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

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

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

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.” 

View match photos

v Havant - 25 Jan 2025

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton

Canterbury Women’s Stunning 36-0 Revenge: Roses Wilt at Merton Lane

Sunday 19th January saw Canterbury Women welcome, league leaders, Dartford Valley to Merton Lane. Earlier in the season Dartford Roses secured a dominant, try bonus point, home victory. But on a gloomy January afternoon the tables were turned with Canterbury securing a thrilling 36-0 victory.

Dartford Valley started the contest with a penetrating kick deep into the Canterbury twenty-two. A missed catch, awkward bounce, fumble, knock-on and the initial advantage went to Dartford Roses. However, a robust Canterbury scrum and flying defensive double tackle from flanker Lucy Relf and number eight Hannah Sandeman set the tone for the remainder of the match. Canterbury’s pack, under guidance of captain Daniella Charles, hit in perfect harmony and drove Dartford backwards.

Scrum-half Ella Jenkins and fly-half Kate Rutherford seized the momentum and engaged the running forward pods.

Dynamic carries from Anneka Willis and Sandeman created a clean platform for Jenkins to unleash the ever-lively Lily Adams , sprinting a well crafted switch line. Adams activated her deadly fend to cut through the Rose defensive line. High-speed rucking support from Emily Kent and Flori Nassir allowed Jenkins to make a darting break around the fringe. Jenkins executed a perfectly floated offload, to the supporting Janina Hassen. With an accurately planted fended and killer side-step Hassen broke the last line of the Roses defence to secure the opening try for Canterbury.

From the restart Canterbury looked to continue to assert themselves physically. Aggressive line speed in defence rocked the Roses and allowed opportunities for Inger Philpott, Amber Waitimas and Jo Cole-Biroth to carry hard and build the phases. Fullback Emily Moriarty was animated all afternoon, consistently mixing up her lines of attack and making countless metres to put Canterbury in control.

Synchronicity between forwards and back ensured Canterbury continued to build the territorial advantage. Rutherford took advantage of a disorganised defence, accelerating through a gap and beating the fullback to score under the posts. Converting her own try this saw Canterbury go into halftime with a 12-0 lead.

The squad were motivated to entertain the expectant crowd. Canterbury started the second half with the same grit and determination seen in the first half. Lily Philpott ran out to make her senior team debut alongside her mother, and Canterbury stalwart, Inger Philpott.

Prop Alex Mills created instant impact with her trade mark dominant carry, offloading to Rutherford who scored her second of the afternoon.

The ever-energetic Moriarty thrived on the relentless work of the centre partnership of Kent and Adams. All afternoon the trio consistently ran the ball over the gain line. Lily Philpott thrived on the pitch, immediately making an impression with her driving tackles which the whole squad has experienced during training sessions!

Jenkins utilised the dynamic forwards effectively to build territory. But when the time was right she took control with a quick tap penalty and scored to secure the bonus point. The roar of the crowd and Canterbury players could probably have been heard in her native Welsh Valleys.

Dartford Valley, by their own admission in the post-match speech, had expected to come to Merton Lane and dominate the encounter. They never gave up the fight, continuing to tackle hard and be disruptive at the breakdown. But with twenty minutes to go Canterbury had certainly left the Roses scrapping for possession and floundering in attack.

Following a turnover scrum in the twenty-two Sandeman rapidly attacked right wing driving hard into a wall of Roses players. Willis, always quick to react, picked the ball and headed for the try line. With solid driving support, from the pack, momentum took Willis over the whitewash.

With the clock counting down Canterbury were determined to hold the scoreboard and not let the Roses pick up a try.

A last ditch attack from the Roses, substitute Amber Shepherd once again made an impressive string of tackles. Wing Alice Hayward, as always, hit the ruck with persistent aggression and secured a quality turnover. From this point Canterbury attacked in glorious waves of play between forwards and backs. Forward of the match, Sandeman, unleashed her snake hips and sprinting thirty metres to score under the posts. As she jumped to her feet Sandeman was engulfed with congratulatory hugs knowing a victory was secured. Rutherford converted to close out the game. This is definitely a match which will live long in the memory.

The next fixture is Sunday 9th February, away to Heathfield.

Deacons Deliver a Spirited Victory with Grit, Flair, and Teamwork!

Maidstone II 12 – 35 Deacons

Another team with some new faces, some returning faces; some young at heart faces. Maidstone enjoyed the home advantage with a spirited start that had their supporters in full voice. Capitalising on a Maidstone error Craig Fuller pounced and took us into the lead early in the first half. Maidstone replied almost instantly with neither team able to convert. A very hard fought battle ensued before Finn MacCabe found some space, scored, and added the extras.

The Deacons discipline has been nothing but exemplary all season and as the home team became frustrated at their lack of scrum dominance the penalty count added up and Maidstone went into half time with 14 men.

The second half saw Maidstone score from an interception. With the scores at 12 a piece the Deacons started to apply pressure. The reply was a fantastically worked rolling maul from the forwards to put Jadyn Moore over the line. With solid work from the pack in the middle of the park, the backs went to work around the fringes.
Some brilliant running rugby saw 2 tries from Johnnie Gaylor & a further from debutant Ano Masaka.

Player of the Match – Johnnie Gaylor
Honourable mentions for the entire team.

The Deacons continue to build; our brand of enjoyable, fun, occasionally flamboyant rugby. Get involved!

Winning ways in the new year

Sunday 5th January
Medway Women 0 – Canterbury Women 10

Kicking off the second half of the season with an away derby, is always something to relish, even with sub-zero temperatures, torrential rain and howling winds!

Canterbury started the game playing into the wind securing possession with a rapid chase, by flanker Hannah Sandeman, from the kick off. Dominant contact at the ruck from Inger Philpott and player of the match Jo Cole-Biroth ensured scrum-half Ella Jenkins could spark the back line into action. A well executed switch between fly-half Kate Rutherford and centre Emily Kent resulted in a busted tackle and twenty metres gained.

A quick tap penalty from Jenkins and powerful carry from Anneka Willis resulted in further metres gained but strong Medway defence halted the early territorial progress. Canterbury continued to attack in waves, there was no chance for the backline to get cold with fly-half Rutherford setting up attacking lines of play from every angle.

The scrum was a battle ground during the first half and Canterbury used this to continue to build pressure in the Medway twenty-two. However, despite building phases Canterbury kept falling agonisingly short.

A strong Canterbury break from Kent working in harmony with her centre partner Lily Adams took the ball hard to the gain line. Adams accelerated through contact with a precision fend. She delivered a sweetly floated pass to fullback Emily Moriarity who offloaded to winger Alice Hayward. Last ditch defensive effort from Medway denied Canterbury from scoring the opening try.

Medway used the wind to their advantage kicking and chasing hard to spark a period of attack, using their powerful centre and experienced number 8 to lead the charge back into the game. Here the entire Canterbury squad thrived on the defensive effort following in the ever enthusiastic Lucy Relf pushing up hard from the line and driving Medway back into the tackle.

With neither team converting any chances the score on the board at halftime remained 0-0. Captain Daniella Charles’ buoyed but the commitment in defence leading into the break gave a passionate team talk encouraging the same energy levels in attack.

From the whistle Charles engaged her impressive conviction at the breakdown turning the ball over and engaging wave after wave of attack. Rutherford continued to use her exceptional footwork to break the advantage line. Pressure continued to build but the 0-0 deadlock could not be broken.

Canterbury’s manager Tasha Weir utilised the bench effectively bringing on Olivia Crebbin to bring precision power into the front row and dynamic flanker Alexia Scarpulla. This change inspired a second wave of energy across the pitch.

With renewed commitment the ball floated down the back line. Wing Flori Nasar cut back into heart of pitch and offloaded to Willis. Engaging her powerful fend Willis broke through the heart of the Medway defensive line. Two hard carries and pods recycling the ball at pace. Rutherford quickly moved the ball to Adams cutting an exquisite hard line. The deadlock was broken as Adams dived for the first points.

Canterbury continued to build pressure attacking in a series of well-structured phases. Medway became increasingly frustrated and the penalty count began to rise.

Centre Amber Shepherd took to the field and made an immediate impact with several strong carries and rib crunching tackles. Relf, always a bundle of energy, made a sniping break down the left wing. Solid rucking and quick accurate passing from Jenkins unleashed Adams. With her trade mark side stepping Adams exploded with pace to score a hard fought team try. Adams was enveloped by the entire team, with the clock in the red that was the win.

It’s always an extremely competitive match against Medway but the fact a huge crowd braved the elements to enjoy a match played in the true spirit of the game is testament to both squads.

Adrian Geddes - PotM - Prodigals v Tjs and West Kent U23's

Canterbury U23s Face Off Against TJs in Festive Clash

On Saturday 28th December, MTG welcomed TJs u23s and 34 of Canterbury’s sons back to the field for a thrilling encounter.

It was brilliant to see every Colts team for the past 5 years represented with 5 current colts also making a step up to U23 rugby.

200+ spectators got their Rugby fix over the Christmas League break and were not left disappointed.

Canterbury opted to head up the hill in the first half and started well with 10 minutes of sustained physicality and dominant ball carrying. However, TJs composure and skill set showed with two quick scores taking it to 0-12 after 20 mins.
Canterbury rallied well and worked their way up the pitch through pressure resulting in penalties. This sustained period of pressure saw Kyle Oliff break off of a driving maul and bundle over to take the scoreline to 12-7 with Owain Collins converting.

TJs, however, weren’t content with only 2 scores in the half. A turnover in midfield followed by some smart kicks in behind forced a handling error and TJs pounced on the ball over the line. Half time 7-17.

A brand new XV took on the second half with clear directives from the half time oranges: play in the right areas.
TJs, however, were fastest out the blocks with two more quick fire scores. With their 5th and final coming on the 60th minute making the scoreline 7-27.

There was still time for Canterbury to showcase the attacking brilliance they had threatened all game and this time the offloads stuck.
A 30m break saw a brilliant try in the far right hand corner to bring the final score to 12-27.

The boys worked hard and should be very proud of their efforts but alas were beaten by a clinical and well drilled TJs side. A side which boasts two U18 National champion cohorts in their U23s squad. Congratulations to Adrian Geddes for being presented with a much-deserved Player of the Match award.

We would like to thank all home and visiting coaches and management for allowing this fixture to go ahead and look forward to welcoming Sevenoaks u23s to MTG on Sunday 13th April (1500 KO).

PILGRIMS END YEAR IN STYLE

ASHFORD 3 CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 76

by Dan Glll

Pilgrims made the short trip to Ashford looking to finish the year with an improved performance after being deservedly beaten on their last outing at Sevenoaks.
They started brightly and quickly found themselves three points in front through a simple Owain Collins penalty goal. This was increased to ten shortly after when Harry Chubb, making his Pilgrims debut, found Gus Lister and his fine break saw him beat the covering defenders to dot down. Guy Hilton and Max Campbell added scores before Henry Kenny finished off a fine flowing passage of play where forwards and backs exchanged passes seamlessly. Collins landed one of a number of difficult kicks from the touch line.
Ashford were struggling to contain a Pilgrims side who were having the better of the set pieces and dominating the breakdown. They resorted to kicking long in an attempt to relieve pressure but a loose kick was returned by Collins with interest for a fine 50-22. The subsequent lineout became a driving maul which saw the forwards power over. When the half time whistle blew Pilgrims held a commanding 46-0 lead
The second half followed a similar pattern with Pilgrims’ showcasing some fine attacking rugby to add a further 30 points. Ashford never gave up and mounted a few promising attacks, but aggressive defence and counter rucking kept them on the back foot. The hosts only points came from a penalty goal but from the kick off typically aggressive rucking saw Pilgrims turn the ball over. It was moved wide by the backs before Yannick De Moubray galloped through a gap in the defence to add his second try of the game. He then landed the conversion to cap a fine individual performance and see Pilgrims finish 2024 how they started the year – at the top of Counties Kent 1.
Pilgrims: Everrat, Demery, MacMillan, Kenny, De Moubray, Hunt, Divine, Evans, Valladares, Campbell, Collins, Chubb, Lister, Trew-Neville, G Hilton, Gill, Cooper, Geddes.

HOLIDAY HIGH FOR CANTERBURY

CANTERBURY 35 SEVENOAKS 22

by David Haigh

Canterbury go into the Christmas break on a high with this bonus point victory which cements their fourth place in National 2 East. After the stellar performance at Dorking the previous week it was a solid, rather than spectacular, show against a Sevenoaks side who themselves came into the the game on a three match winning streak. They were a point ahead at half time but the city side scored three of their five tries in the second half as their domination of scrums and lineouts kept them firmly in control. The first points of the match came from the boot of Sevenoaks full back Ben Adams, with a 24th minute penalty goal, but that brought an immediate response from a Canterbury team playing cannily into the strong wind. Frank Morgan carried hard into the ‘Oaks defence and, once there, the pack made the most of it with a try from hooker Eoin O’Donoghue, converted by Frank Reynolds. That was countered by Oaks wing Harry Barker, who grabbed a pinpoint cross kick from Ed Shepherdson, and Canterbury then handed the visitors a second try, this one converted by Adams. A spilled pass was booted 50 metres down field and when the chasers arrived Drew Forrester made a good pick up to score and open an eight point lead. But the visitors were still vulnerable and when Canterbury probed again Barney Stone was yellow carded and Oaks were punished by a close range try from Tyler Oliver. With Reynolds adding the goal points it rewarded a good first half containing effort. Going down wind after the break the city men quickly put their stamp on the game. It took two minutes for the backs to launch Alfie Orris for the third try and the powerful wing then turned provider for the next score, bursting through a hole and sending Morgan across for the bonus point touch down. Reynolds, who does not miss much these days, converted both tries and completed a full house when O’Donoghue claimed his second try after the mighty home pack, where flanker Chad Thomas had an impressive afternoon, drove a maul over 20 metres. His late yellow card was a disappointment but Oaks, starved of primary possession to make any lasting impact, did make their extra man count with a try from prop Sam Begbie, converted by Adams. They still went home empty handed.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, A.Orris, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, T.Williams, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, O.Frostick, E.O.Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, S.Rogers, T.Oliver. Replacements: N.Morris, H.Furneaux, C.McGovern, H.Young, W.Hilton

View match photos

v Sevenoaks - 21 Dec 2024

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton