Category: Match Reports

Match report v Henley Hawks

First Half Collapse

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 33 HENLEY HAWKS 43

by David Haigh

Canterbury Head Coach Matt Corker said that this National 2 East game against fourth placed Henley would be a test of how far his side have progressed this season. At the end of the first half with the Hawks in a commanding 31-7 lead and Canterbury’s four match winning streak collapsing he was left with plenty to think about. It was only in the last twenty minutes that the city club produced the effective rugby their coach is looking for as they ran in four tries to rescue a losing bonus point. What went before was a tale of repeated errors which were punished ruthlessly as Canterbury lost the ball in contact, struggled at the set pieces and handed Hawks all the space they needed. The visitors scored five tries in the first half, the opener coming from hooker Istok Totic, and although there was a similar catch and drive reply from Nathan Morris, converted by Frank Reynolds, Canterbury offered little else. They could not contain Henley’s direct running and slick off-loading which brought excellent tries for Zack Taylor, Adam Hakimian, Sam Lunnon and George Wood. Three conversions by Max Titchener completed what was threatening to become a rout. Those fears looked well founded as Canterbury conceded two further tries in the opening twelve minutes of the second half when Totic claimed his second touchdown and scrum half Leo Webb darted through a gap. Titchener’s conversion made it 43-7. Faced with embarrassment, the city side at last found the energy, control and sharpness in attack to force themselves back into the contest. It started with Eoin O’Donoghue’s mauled score in the 59th minute and a second came quickly as Tom Best put in a typical finish. O’Donoghue’s second won the bonus point before Shay Kerry got over the line in the final play. Reynolds boosted the scoreline with three conversions but that late surge could hardly disguise the fact that Canterbury in this game were only a half decent side.

Canterbury: W.Waddngton, G.Jones (repl B.Law), F.Morgan, T.Best, A.Moss, F.Reynolds, T.Williams (repl B.Cooper), C.Macmillan (repl E.Lusher), N.Morris, W.McColl (repl D.Herriott), S.Kerry, J.De Vries (repl S.Rogers), J.Stephens, E.O’Donoghue, T.Oliver.

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v Henley - 9 Dec 2023

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton
Match report v Vigo

Under the cosh from the off

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Zingari 0 – Vigo 2nds 56

The Zingari suffered their worst defeat of the season against a strong Vigo second side. Canterbury was under the cosh from the outset against a well drilled heavy experienced pack. Their direct running sucked in the city defence creating opportunities outside for them to run in two converted try’s in the first ten minutes. There was no let up as the half continued, Vigo adding two more to give them a healthy halftime lead.

The second half started the same way canterbury conceding two more converted trys with the Vigo place kicker seeming to be able to slot the conversions from any angle seemed to seal the Zingari fate. Despite the early pressure you could expected the Zingari to implode. Instead despite conceding two more try’s before the finale whistle showed remarkable resistance. Many of the players out of their normal positions instead collapsing made the opposition work hard for every meter in a show of defiance earning respect in a hard fought contest.

Match report v Ashford

Pilgrims Grind Out Victory

Posted on | by David Haigh

ASHFORD 0 CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 19

by John Mitchell

On very cold, damp winter’s days like this league position and form goes out of the window and so it proved as the unbeaten Pilgrims had to grind out victory. In the process they scored three unanswered tries, were excellent in defence but missed out on a bonus point for the first time this season. They started well, with fast tempo and a try within minutes. Great all round backs play saw full back Gus Lister join the line and sprint over for the touchdown but Tom McMann failed to convert. Within minutes Gus went close again with another great run and there was continued pressure as Alex Evans and Harvey Furneaux tested the home defence. Scores, however, were elusive as Pilgrims were sucked into Ashford’s tactics, lost ball in contact and made poor decisions. The home side were not short of possession either but could do nothing to break a resolute Canterbury defence where Jake Dengate set the standard with his heavy hits. That early try was the only score of the first half but the team regrouped and came out firing after the break. From the off veteran prop Dan Gill scored a trade mark try, wrestling over from close range, and Tom McMann duly obliged with the conversion. The game continued to be riddled with mistakes and Canterbury straying from the game plan. Then with fifteen minutes to go a penalty kicked to touch, a line-out and an excellent push over try for Brandon Dunkerley – his first of the season – settled the result. McMann converted and there was still enough time left to earn that four try bonus point. But that was not going to happen against a stubborn Ashford side who took control of the set scrums. A shut out away from home is always good, but Pilgrims could have played so much better. There was little to warm us on a chilly day but the result sees Canterbury take a nine point lead at the top of Counties 1 Kent.
Pilgrims: G.Lister, J.Weaver, J.Richardson, S.Trew-Neville, A.Geddes, T.McMann, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, B.Dunkerley, D.Gill, W.Hunt, T.Mackenzie, J.Dengate, H.Furneaux, A.Evans. Replacements: H.Andrews, J.Everratt, H.Valldares
Next game this coming weekend is at home v Bromley at 2:00pm

v Old Albanians

Victory The Hard Way

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 32 OLD ALBANIAN 27

by David Haigh

It has been some time since Canterbury enjoyed the luxury of a four match winning run but this latest success was not achieved without serious alarms. When Frank Morgan’s try three minutes into the second half opened up a nineteen point lead they appeared to be cruising at a safe height. By the final whistle, however, the city side were clinging on to their seat belts after a revived Albanians sent them into a nosedive. They survived, despite two yellow cards and a heavy penalty count, to take a full five points and stay sixth in the National 2 East table. The visitors were first on the scoreboard as wing Hugo Watson nipped through a large hole for a try converted by Sam Jones. When Canterbury got themselves together they levelled matters with Number Eight Tyler Oliver’s burst off the back of a scrum setting up a try for Eoin O’Donoghue and converted by Frank Reynolds as he compensated for an earlier penalty miss which hit a post. They fell behind again to a Jones penalty goal but that was the last time Albanians held the lead as Canterbury took command of the first half and exploited a yellow card for Albanian lock Ashley Illston with two converted tries. An athletic run from Jesse De Vries won vital territory before flanker Cam Murray burrowed over and as the city side continued to apply pressure Tom Best stepped neatly through for the third try. At 24-10 most sides would have been happy and even more delighted to get the bonus point touchdown so soon after the break. It was a good score, too, from Morgan as he powered down the left flank and although Reynolds was off target the chill November wind was blowing Canterbury’s way. Albanians, however, refused to be left out in the cold. As the city side frequently incurred the referees displeasure and surrendered territory the visitors found fresh energy and resolve and scored two tries in the space of six minutes through forwards Kemp Price and Ben Alexander, both topped up by Jones. With O’Donoghue and Oliver both serving time in the sin bin Canterbury had to find ways to hold on. A welcome Reynolds penalty goal edged them eight points ahead but when Jones replied late on and Albanians surged forward in a final assault there was tension all over the pitch. A rare penalty award to Canterbury in the last seconds finally brought them huge relief.

Canterbury: W.Waddngton, A.Moss (repl G.Jones), F.Morgan, T.Best, A.Orris, F.Reynolds, T.Williams(repl B.Cooper), C.Macmillan (rep E.Lusher), N.Morris, W.McColl (repl D.Herriott), J.Stephens, J.De Vries, C.Murray, E.O’Donoghue (repl S.Rogers), T.Oliver

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v Old Albanian - 25 Nov 2023

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton
Frank R v Guernsey

Frank Pulls The Strings

Posted on | by David Haigh

GUERNSEY 10 CANTERBURY 34

by Andy Rogers

It’s often said there is no such thing as a free lunch and so it turned out on this trip to Guernsey which is always a massive challenge, made harder still by the wind and rain battering the island on Saturday. Facing the worst of the conditions in the first period Canterbury played controlled rugby against bullish opposition with the back row and influential No 8 Tyler Oliver always in the thick of things. So it was against the run of play when after 20 minutes Canterbury were penalised for offside at the breakdown and from the resulting line out Guernsey second row Lewis Hillier was driven over.
That early momentum seemed to be drifting away further when Cameron Murray was singled out for ten minutes in the sin bin after some mild argy bargy with the Guernsey forwards. However, these setbacks appeared to galvanize a Canterbury side who continued to play the conditions with control, astute kicking and no little skill.
On thirty minutes and down to 14 players they drew level. It was the unlikely figure of fly half Frank Reynolds who emerged from the bottom of a driving maul to claim the touch down. When he converted his own score it was the start of a virtuoso performance from the Number Ten who went on to net two tries, two penalties and four conversions for a personal haul of 24 points. Reynolds then added a penalty goal before half time leaving Canterbury with a slender five point lead but still with a serious second half job to do.
With Reynolds pulling the strings it turned out to be a lead they would not surrender, but any suggestion that this was a one man performance would be way off the mark.
With fifteen second half minutes played prop Cam Macmillan drove over for the side’s second try and five minutes later lock Dave Irvine was rewarded for an afternoons hard graft by adding another to take the score to 27-5
Guernsey were not finished though. Spurred on by a noisy crowd they continued to take the game to the visitors and with 10 minutes remaining their tricky fly half Owen Thomas broke the cover to put centre Ciaran McGann over for a try which went unconverted.
It proved to be much too little too late for the home side leaving the final word to man of the match Reynolds. Playing with confidence, Canterbury went looking for a bonus point try. Wingers Alfie Orris and Garry Jones both went close after some lovely interplay with Will Waddington before forward pressure saw replacement scrum half Ben Cooper gather a loose ball to set up Reynolds who dummied and outpaced the cover to race under the posts.
A fitting end to a fine individual performance but, more importantly, an impressive display from a Canterbury squad who played the difficult conditions with a level of skill and control which augurs well for the testing run of league games to come.

Canterbury: W.Waddington, G.Jones, F.Morgan, T.Best, A.Orris, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, C.Macmillan, N.Morris, W.McColl, D.Irvine, S.Kerry, J.Stephens, C.Murray, T.Oliver. Replacements: E.O.Donoghue, E,Lusher, B.Cooper, A.Moss, S.Rogers

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v Guernsey - 18 Nov 2023

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton
MATCH-REPORT-v-CROWBOROUGH

Pilgrims Purple Patch

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 43 CROWBOROUGH 10

by David Haigh

Billed as the Match of the Day between the only two unbeaten sides in Counties 1 Kent it ended in a decisive victory for league leaders Pilgrims. A Crowborough side which arrived at Merton Lane with an impressive winning run of 20 games, stretching back to last season, dominated the first quarter but then had no answer to Canterbury’s pace and their power in the loose. In a purple patch, fifteen minutes either side of half time, they scored four tries and seldom gave the visitors another look-in. It had been a test of Pilgrims defence until the 27th minute when they finally got their hands on the ball from a clearance kick. Wing Sonny Trew-Neville made an elusive run, full back Gus Lister finished off with the try and Tom McMann converted from wide out. That wiped out the seven points Crowborough had in the bank, from a fine individual try and conversion by their fly half, and before half time Pilgrims had scored two more. The backs produced the break and accurate handling for Jack Weaver to touch down and when the visitors collapsed a maul the penalty cost them a lineout and a pick and go try for Adrian Geddes. McMann converted both to open a fourteen point gap and two minutes after the break Pilgrims stamped their authority on the game even further. Another penalty led to a close range try from skipper Alex Evans and Crowborough were stranded. The one area they came to control was the set scrums but a tolerant referee did not punish Pilgrims heavily and it only cost them a penalty goal. In the final quarter it was all Canterbury with tries from prop Freddy Holland-Oliver, converted by McMann, great creative work by the backs for Weaver’s second and, in the closing minute, a joyful finish from lock Jesse De Vies rewarded his all round effort. .

Pilgrims: G.Lister, J.Weaver, T.Halliday, B.Law, S.Trew-Neville. T.McMann, P.Farrance. A.Malik, B.Dunkerley, F.Holland-Oliver, L.Webber, J.De Vries, J.Dengate, T.Mackenzie, A.Evans. Replacements: A.Gedddes, D.Gill, H.Valldares

MATCH-REPORT-ZINGARI-V-LEIGH

A game of endurance then dominance

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Canterbury 21 – 5 Leigh

The zingari had to endure the hardest opening half of the season so far. Leigh came at them from the start setting up camp just outside the Zingari twenty-two with a move from the training pitch, and quick ball from a scrum created the overlap on the blind side to go over in the corner. With the opening score under their belt leigh’s forwards pressed hard dominating at the set piece, and quite a lot of possession in the loose. However, as the half-progressed the Zingari’s resistance developed, and by halftime they had taken the early sting out of Leigh’s attack. The second half saw a complete change from the start, with the city sides forwards driving deep into Leigh’s territory for Jack Waite to finish off with a try converted by Finn McCabe. Leigh’s forwards rallied but as the half progressed and with some aggressive tackling Leigh found themselves confined more into their half of the pitch. As the game entered the last quarter the city side’s forwards started to gain quality possession feeding their backs who started to make inroads, first to profit was Richard Collins breaking through to touch down out wide, converted by Simon Crossley. This seemed to inspire the backs who repeatedly breeched the gain line keeping Leigh on the back foot. The game got a little fractious at this point but the Zingari forwards stuck to their task again releasing their backs, this time it was Geoge Thomas with a tackle breaking run who sliced through to touch down out wide, leaving Simon Crossley with the difficult conversion hitting the crossbar on the way over to close out the match.

Tries
George Thomas 1
Richard Collins 1
Jack Waite 1

Conversions
Simon Crossley 2
Fin Mc Cabe 1

Match report Charlton Park v Pilgrims

Unbeaten Run Continues

Posted on | by David Haigh

Charlton Park 16 Canterbury Pilgrims 50

by John Mitchell

Although the unbeaten Pilgrims started well, with Harvey Furneaux darting through for a try converted by Tom McMann within the first two minutes, it was followed by a period full of errors, lack of concentration and penalties conceded. Park’s Alex Miller, once a Canterbury player, made them pay with two penalty goals. However, it was a penalty against the home side that led to a second try as Jake Dengate darted over from a lineout and McMann, in great kicking form, landed the second of his six conversions. Then Presley Farrance’s mis-timed tackle earned him a yellow card and from the penalty Miller was on target again. Just before half time Jake Dengate, who was having a fine game, was illegally denied a probable score and McMann’s penalty goal saw Pilgrims to an eight point lead at the break. The second half was a different story as Canterbury took control. Within minutes a very good team move saw Farrance weave through to score under the posts and as Pilgrims pressure built the Park defence could not stop Alex Evans crashing over the line. Next it was a 50 yard run from the in-form Furneaux which set up position for the fifth try. The home defence proved solid, held the ball up on three or four occasions, but finally Adam Malik plunged over for the only unconverted try of the day. The conversion attempt was charged down, something you do not see that often. Pilgrims wanted to keep a clean sheet in the second half but Charlton Park would not lie down. They worked tirelessly and deserved the converted try which made the scoreline 36-16. But that sparked the Pilgrims into life again. They shrugged off a yellow card for Furneaux and ran the ball from one end of the pitch to the other. Farrance sold a lovely dummy to score under the posts then immediately McMann did the most delicate of chips, Gus Lister sprinted through, picked up in one hand and raced away to claim the final try. Pilgrims sit top of the league having played eight and won eight. This Saturday they play Crowborough, who are in second place, and are undefeated. Come and watch this top of the table clash. The Bar is open and food is being served.

Date for your diary, December Friday 15th evening kick off, under lights v local rivals Thanet Wanderers. Don’t miss.

Match report v North Walsham

Walsham Hit For Six

Posted on | by David Haigh

NORTH WALSHAM VIKINGS 10 CANTERBURY 54

by David Haigh

Six second half tries swept North Walsham aside as Canterbury’s domination of possession and territory took its toll on the league’s basement club. The first half ended with the city side, despite having massive overall control, just six points in front but after the break they shook the journey to Norfolk out of their system and brought fresh, match winning energy and purpose to their work. The bulk of Canterbury’s first half points came from the boot of fly half Frank Reynolds who kicked three penalty goals and converted a 26th minute catch and drive try from Tyler Oliver. A young and out muscled Walsham side nevertheless put in a great defensive shift and when a rare attacking chance came they took it. An intercepted pass and slick handling sent wing Tawanda Kendemawa clear for a try, converted by Ross Magnus, who added a penalty goal in the final minute of the half. However, any hopes of a first league victory the Vikings may have entertained were rapidly destroyed as Canterbury raised the intensity from start of the second half and never let go. The hosts were targeted by a superior pack that served up as stream of possession from the set pieces and now turned it into points with four close range tries. Lock Shay Kerry got the first four minutes after the restart but it was in the final quarter that the tries flowed. With the ball carriers making constant inroads Jamie Stephens, twice, and Will McColl made the touchdowns. Late in the day the attack was spread wider and overlaps created scores for wings Alfie Orris and, finally, Garry Jones. Four more conversions from Reynolds made sure the fifty mark was passed as Canterbury took maximum points to consolidate their seventh place in the National 2 East table.

CANTERBURY: W.Waddington, G.Jones, F.Morgan, T.Best, A,Moss, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, C.Macmillan, N.Morris, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, S.Kerry, J.Stephens, C.Murray, T.Oliver. Replacements: E.O.Donoghue, W.McColl, A.Orris, B.Cooper, S.Rogers

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v North Walsham - 11 Nov 2023

Images may be subject to copyright – Phillipa Hilton
v Sittingbourne

Hard fought, hard won

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Canterbury 47 – Sittingbourne 2nd 40

The Zingari avenged their earlier defeat at the hands of Sittingbourne 2nds in an exciting hard-fought contest that went down to the wire. It was the Zingari that opened with will Rayner breaking free on the outside to go over in the corner followed by George Thomas tackle breaking run to go under the posts for the simple conversion. More was to follow as Sittingbourne failed to subdue Canterbury’s backs as they splintered the defence finished with Jake Upward followed father and son pairing in the centres putting away his son George Thomas for his second converted try. This was all beginning to look one way until the last ten minutes of the half when Sittingbourne played to their strengths keeping the ball tight and using their powerful forwards driving within a few meters of the city before crashing over from short range to put themselves on the score board. This tactic proved to be successful and was repeated five minutes later with a score under the posts, and on the stroke of halftime Canterbury succumbed to another driving maul to reduce the city to seven points at halftime.

The start of the second half could not have been worse for the city side to conceding a penalty try after bring down a driving maul on their line levelling the scores. Canterbury who never looked happy against Sittingbourne’s well drilled heavier pack looked happier in the loose, it was down to Jake Forrest to reestablish their lead with a crashing run touching down near the posts. A few minutes later a Will Rayner gathered a poor clearance kick and jinked his way through a scatted defence before touching down behind the posts. Unable to cope with the city backs Sittingbourne reverted to their forward power with a drive from a five-meter lineout to snatch a converted try back. With the game going into the last five minutes, it was time for George Thomas hat trick as he handed off would be tacklers before dotting down behind the posts, and with Sam Roud conversions looked like a winning margin. Sittingbourne had other ideas, and on the stroke of full time they again used their rolling maul to great effect to reduce the city lead. The city side then had to endure six minutes of extra time with both teams battling it out before the Zingari could claim one of their hardest league wins of the season.

Tries

George Thomas 3
Jake Forrest 1
Will Rayner 2
Jake Upward 1

Conversions

Sam Roud 6