CANTERBURY V SEVENOAKS: THE FINALE
And before you know it it’s the last one of the season, and what a game to end on. A derby game, with league positions at stake, in front of a sponsor’s lunch crowd it’s going to be a great afternoon of rugby. Our first game of the season was away at Sevenoaks where we lost a tense encounter by one point. We didn’t put in the performance we were aiming for and this Saturday is a good test of how far we have progressed since September. In recent performances we have be playing the rugby that we think is the best version of ourselves. From my perspective I am very proud of the progress the team has made; we know we are not the finished article but out of the ashes of last year’s frustrating campaign we have made a clear step forward. There have been some great highlights, doing the double over Tonbridge and Guernsey, beating Bury for the first time in three seasons and the excitement of the last play win against Worthing at home. These victories were built on winning key moments and the players showing their attacking ability with the ball in hand. Several times we have pushed the top teams close, Esher at home we were two points short, Henley away only one behind, but for us to take another big step next season coming out on the right side against the best in the league is one improvement we need to make. In any season there will be games that get away from you so the other improvement for us is to keep these to a minimum. We have let too many league points slip through our fingers to have the right to sit in the top five. The growth in mindset amongst the playing group in the last few games has created a shift in a very positive direction. This is something that I look forward to continuing to grow over pre-season, as the key to unlocking our full potential is to continue to develop in this area.
After such a great season in 2022-23 the newly promoted Pilgrims had modest aims in September. To go on an eighteen game winning streak, only lose two games all season and end as champions at the first opportunity is an incredible achievement. The success of this team is so important for the club and this is shown not just in the Pilgrims league position but also by the number of players that have progressed to play for the 1st XV. Jon Foster and Justin Loveridge have done a fantastic job coaching the team, and John Mitchell has kept everyone on track (and on time) as team manager and best dressed.
It is also important to mention the promotion winning season of the Canons (3rd XV for the uninitiated). Tom Short, assisted by Ryan Flockhart, have had a great year in the team’s first season in the RFU leagues, navigating new administration to lead the side to sit top of the table.
I say this at the end of each season, but our club is such a great place to play and watch rugby thanks to the army of volunteers who work tirelessly, and the sponsors and supporters who make everything possible. We would not be able to operate the way we do without such generosity of time and money and the club continues to be a rugby stronghold in the South East.
My job would also not be possible without the support of a vast number of people. My assistant coaches, Alex Veale and Danny Herriott, have again poured their energy into the team and the improvement in the players is clear to see from their input. Taff has come on board as director of rugby and has brought his attention to detail and vast experience to the club, making improvements in many different areas. Andy Rogers has made sure the team is in the right place at the right time with another season as team manager, and Chris Fullbrook adds more each season to his list of roles with the team. Charlie Bannigan has chalked up another season in the physio room backed up by Ben Cassidy and Leon Benning as well as our two students from the University of Kent, Evie Johnston and Louis Miles. The players development in CTPT took another step forward this season, led by Sam Sterling and Tristan King and plans are being made for a pre-season to remember. One member of staff who is moving on is our Analyst, Carrick Blake, who is graduating from UKC and moving to Cardiff Met to go on their renowned analyst course. Carrick is a fantastic asset with a bright future in the game and he has developed this part of the team significantly. The real measure of the man is in his willingness to improve the team in any way he can, from filling water bottles on training nights to being a pair of hands in any situation you can think of. Carrick, I’ll miss you a lot.
My final thanks go to the committee, for allowing me to lead the team for another season. It will always be a privilege for me to be part of such a great club and the other must go to the players, who I love working with. It is full of great characters who are striving to write their own part in the clubs story. We are proud of what we have achieved this season, but not satisfied. Next season there is more to come.
Matt Corker, Head Coach
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