Category: Senior Squad

Club Sign New Forward

Posted on | by David Haigh

WELCOME CHARLIE McGOVERN

The senior squad have boosted their options in the second row with the signing of 22-year-old Charlie McCovern from Australian side USC Barbarians. Charlie made a try scoring debut for the Pilgrims against Beccehamians. Director of Rugby Taff Gwilliam said: “Charlie comes highly recommended. He is a quick, athletic forward who adds depth and competition to our forward pack. His personality lends itself to fitting in well with our squad as a whole.” The 6t 4ins lock, who weighs in at 108 kg (17stones) has British ancestry and joins from the same club as our Kent County wing, Garry Jones.

Kurt Heatherley

KURT JOINS THE SQUAD

Posted on | by David Haigh

NEW SIGNING

As we head into the opening game of new National 2 East league season with a home fixture against Colchester, the club have announced a major addition to the senior squad.

Former Auckland and Jersey centre Kurt Heatherley is joining us after a summer playing on the Sevens circuit in France for Clermont.
Head Coach Matt Corker said:”We are really excited to add a player with Kurt’s experience and physical presence to our squad. He will add a great deal to the team and I am looking forward to seeing him show his quality at the Marine Travel Ground”

The 29-year-old New Zealander, who has British ancestry, is an all round sportsman who was a star Australian Rules football player before switching to Rugby. He represented Auckland in the Mitre Cup competition before joining former English Championship side Jersey Reds.

Kurt already has a Canterbury connection with friend and colleague at Jersey, our former second row player Shay Kerry, now with Championship club Bedford.

Pre-season warm up for senior squad

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Canterbury start their warm-up for the new league rugby season on Saturday when National One side Esher are the visitors to the Marine Travel Ground, kick-off 3 pm. It is the first of three pre-season matches for the senior squad ahead of the National 2 East campaign which starts on September 7th with a home game against newly promoted Colchester. Head Coach Matt Corker will use Saturday’s clash with Esher to integrate several new summer signings into his plans. Admission to the game is free.

Seven join the Senior Squad

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

The club has announced seven new signings ahead of the September start to the National 2 East league season. The fresh faces are Ollie Frostick, Chad Thomas, Henry Kenny and Jack Cohen together with Aaron Cooper and Harvey Young, two experienced former Canterbury players who are rejoining the senior squad. The group will be further strengthened by Kent County forward Mo Pangarker who missed last season through injury.

Oli Frostik: An experienced National Division 2 tight head prop and Scotland Under 20 cap, Ollie joins from Henley Hawks. We are delighted he has chosen us to progress his career. Together with Aaron Cooper he adds depth and competition to the front row.

Aaron Cooper:– Another experienced and popular player who Canterbury supporters and sponsors will know from his previous seasons with the club. A loose head prop, he rejoins from Westcombe Park.

Chad Thomas: Welsh player who has come across the bridge looking for a new challenge. A utility forward who is equally adept at N0 6 or No 8. Previous club Merthyr RFC. A skilled operator with a lot of potential who will add physicality to the pack.

Harvey Young: Former Canterbury player whose previous club was Blackheath. His return to the fold will add flair to the backline. Equally comfortable at full back or fly half.

Jack Cohen: The back three player joins from London Welsh. A wing or full back, he is a Kent lad originally from Thanet. Whilst studying at Brunel University he spent two seasons representing Kent at Under 20 level in the National County Championship.

Henry Kenny: Strong tackling versatile forward who can play both lock and blind side. A former Medway player who represented Kent at under 20 level and was involved with the senior Kent squad last season. He moves from Westcombe Park.

 

Mo Pangarker: Powerful utility forward who is at home in either the back row or second row. Previous club. Medway. Mo played a major part in Kent’s senior County Championship success in the 2022/23 season. Injury while playing for Canterbury in a pre-season game last August sidelined him for twelve months but he will be a strong contender for a starting place once he regains full fitness.

Director of Rugby Taff Gwilliam said: “”We are delighted with the off season signings we have brought in .  Each and every one of them are known to the coaching staff. They all add greater depth and competition for places in our match day squad. Their characters are such that they fit in well to the culture within the existing squad and we look forward to driving up our standards to improve on field performances.

The coaching staff are keen to bring in more signings which we are in the process of trying to negotiate.   Pre season preparations are on track and going well.”
Friday Night Light vs Tunbridge Juddians

FRIDAY NIGHT’S ACTION

Posted on | by David Haigh

CANTERBURY 21 TONBRDGE JUDDIANS 26

This was a high tempo pre-season work out for both clubs with TJs edging a game played in four 20-minute sessions and expanded squads being rotated to give everyone one a taste of the action. Although billed as a friendly there was no shortage of competitive edge and the result was in the balance right to the final play. Tries from new boys Alfie Orris and Mo Pangarker, both converted by Frank Reynolds, gave Canterbury the best of the first session. Wingman Orris beat his marker in impressive style while Pangarker brought a powerful finish to some solid forward pressure. The visitors cut the lead with a converted try and by the end of the second session were four points ahead, neat work from their back division then a missed tackle yielding two tries. Canterbury were then guilty of conceding penalties and paid the price as they fell further behind to TJs fourth score, a converted touchdown. The city side hit back hard as the forwards built up a head of steam to set up a sniping try by scrum half Tom Williams, Reynolds adding the goal points, and they dominated the closing stages. In the last minute a knock-on with the line beckoning denied them an equaliser they probably deserved.

Pre-season 2023/24

2023/24 pre-season games

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Get ready for the 2023/24 season, as the anticipation for the upcoming pre-season games reaches a fever pitch. With adrenaline-pumping action and pitchside excitement, these friendlies are set to ignite the passion of rugby fans and provide a tantalising glimpse into what the new season has in store. As our senior squad fine-tunes its strategies and welcomes fresh talent into the ranks, there’s an undeniable sense of anticipation in the air. Join us and cheer our teams across the line, and watch the fierce rivalries that will unfold on the pitch. The stage is set, the battle lines are being drawn, and the countdown to an electrifying rugby extravaganza has begun!

Friday 11th August – FREE ENTRY

Friday Night Lights vs Tonbridge Juddians at the Marine Travel Ground

U22’s kick-off 6.30pm
1st XV kick-off 7.45pm

The BBQ will be fired up. Saucy Flo’s curries and filled baguettes available pre-match and during matches in the clubhouse. The coffee shop will also be open serving hot drinks and cakes, along with the fully stocked clubhouse bar serving from 5.30pm. We have something for everyone!

Saturday 19th August – FREE ENTRY

vs London Welsh. Will the one-time London Welsh hero Matt Corker turn into their villain?

1st XV kick-off 2pm
Pilgrims kick-off 2pm

Food and drinks will be available from the BBQ area and the clubhouse cafe and bar, as above. The bar opening time will be 1.00pm.

McElvis will be providing the post-match music and entertainment – Get ready to sing and dance!

Friday 25th August

vs Blackheath away. Newly promoted to National 1, this should be a tough game, but the team is up for the challenge,

1stXV kick-off 8.pm

Saturday 2nd September

vs Sevenoaks away. Our season opener for the 1st XV, and friendly for the Pilgrims.

1stXV kick-off 3pm
Pilgrims kick-off 3pm


Come the start of the competitive season, the cobwebs will be shaken off and the Canterbury machine should be at full speed. Pull on your colours, bring the cheers, bring the noise, and get behind the players.