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Deacons vs Deal & Betts 2’s Match Report

Fantastic Fours Fall Short but not without stunning Deal by the infamous Pete Demery

Deacons 21 – Deal & Betts 32

On an afternoon where any normal person would stay inside enjoying appropriate snacks and refreshments, the Deacons assembled to run out against an old foe Deal & Betts. After an attritional run of 4 consecutive games, getting a full squad out was a challenge and once more some of our Zingari fellows stepped in to assist.
With barely 15 on the field and no front row to contest at scrum time we knew it would be a tough afternoon.
The weather levelled the playing field a little and we knew we might have to get creative with some key forwards missing from our usually strong set piece plays.

At kick off Deacons received & looked to move the ball around the field to overcome a very organised Deal defence. Handling errors were inevitable given the conditions & frenetic pace of play, there were more dropped balls than the u12’s squad! The uncontested scrums were welcome respite for the larger of us on the field.

Deal drew first blood but not until deep into the first half; a well worked try squeezed in at the corner. Deals kicker had a tricky day missing all the conversion attempts (despite the opposition linesman giving a conversion that missed the middle of the uprights by about 4 nautical miles).
Deacons battled well until the 25 minute mark when Deal struck again, once more around the fringes before a quick 3rd try after a devastating rolling maul. We were rocked, and periodically suffering with going a man down with injuries and an empty bench.
The first half ended with Deal on 22 points to our 0, we had to regroup over our halftime Haribo and we weren’t going down without a fight.

After a small reshuffle and some tactical changes with positional play we went into the second half with our tails up taking the fight to Deal. It didn’t disappoint despite a quick Deal try after the restart.

We played the Deacons way. Upped the fun, worked as a team and communicated well causing chaos at lineout time.

At 10, Dan Head moved the forwards around the breakdowns & delivered a kicking masterclass from the fringes at try time.
Oli Toms, David Hierro and Adam Malik combined to carry the ball brilliantly up the middle of the field.
Callum Townsend on his second shift as flanker cleared in attack and tackled phenomenally in defence, jumping in the lineout as if he’d been doing it years.
Rob Horan worked brilliantly from 12 to organise the backline with great territory kicking and Harry Stanley (Harry Standout more like!) at fullback was key to our attack and the last line of defence – battling through breaking a finger at some point – I was wondering what he was pointing at!

Returning to the Deacons from uni Reilly Fleming demonstrated he’d missed us, stepping into a flanking role away from the backs his presence reassuring us around the field before dotting down between the posts.

Man of the match went to Ed Exley for barreling over the line with 2 tries in the corner, running hard and beating tackles.
After another period of sustained attack and a number of Deal penalties in their own 22, Deacons scored again. With Dan’s superb kicking the score all of a sudden stood at 21-27 game on with 10 left to go! Deal were rocked and scrambled, hitting back with a try through their pack.

With no time left on the clock we pushed and pushed to get back over the Deal line but ultimately came up short losing the battle with time but winning the second half.

If we’d had another 20 I’ve no doubt we would’ve won, we retired to the changing rooms broken, bloodied, muddied and in great spirits. A fantastic effort by all.

POTM – Ed Exley (2 x tries), con x 3 – Dan Head, Reilly Fleming (try).
Huge shout out to Piers Weigh (who’s clearly watched his Dad play rugby too much) and thought he could pick and score a try from 2 metres out against Deals entire front row!

As a team it takes us time to gel on match days.
We’d love to be able to put out the same match squad each week.
If you want to return to playing or play competitive rugby that’s fun & social without necessarily always having to train. Come and play Deacons rugby!

We’ve a week off before December fixtures at home on the 13th. 2 to go before 2026 begins.

Pilgrims 30
Sutton & Epsom 26

The Pilgrims welcomed Sutton & Epsom to the MTG for the first time in many years in what promised to be a keenly contested encounter.
The city side started brightly, boosted by the return from long term injury’s of Jesse De Vries, Alfie Orris and Harry Sloan and looked to take the game to Sutton going up the slope.
Despite the positive start, the Pilgrims found themselves behind when a slip in the defensive line left a gaping hole in the defensive line which Sutton exploited to take a 0-7 lead.

The pilgrims looked to build on positive front foot ball provided by the forwards, but after a series of positive carries, a pilgrims lineout was thrown long and Sutton expertly countered and showed why they are competing at the top of the league by exploiting the error to score a second which was well converted from out wide. 0-14.

The pilgrims were punished again when hooker Jake Dengate was yellow carded for a late tackle. Sutton kicked for the corner and peeled off the resulting lineout to score from close range and extend their lead to 0-21.

Pilgrims regrouped and again showed they themselves looked dangerous in possession with the pack linking well in the loose to make inroads. Sutton stemmed the tide illegally allowing Owain Collins to register the pilgrims first points of the afternoon with a simple penalty in front of the posts. 3-21.

with the first half drawing to a close, some good play by the backs forced Sutton back into their 22 and and they were forced into touch in their own 22. The pilgrims executed a well worked maul from the lineout and allowed front row replacement Nate Morris to dot down and make the HT score 8-21.

The halftime break allowed pilgrims to regroup and they came out firing as they looked to attack down the slope. Dengate rejoined the fray after his enforced rest and momentum started to swing their way as good work by the forwards created space for Collins to power over and he converted his own try, 15-21.

Sutton looked dangerous whenever they got ball in hand but they were struggling to deal with Pilgrims’ attacking tempo and they were making ground with every run. This set a great platform for the backs and allowed fleet footed fullback Owen Hewitt to skip through for pilgrims 3rd which Collins converted to give them the lead for the first time, 22-21.

Collins then added a second penalty goal to take the score to 25-21 before Sutton showed good determination to score their bonus point try when they powered over from close range despite a number of courageous goal line tackles from the home side to take back the lead, 25-26.

With 10 minutes remaining the pilgrims went up a gear, spurred on my the home support. The forwards were making dents and the backs were looking dangerous. After some good work at the lineout by the pack the backs looked to move the ball wide and after Collins found Orris with a nice pass, his outrageous effort to put Hewitt in space out wide was even better and he raced away to add the pilgrims 4th and bonus point try to take the score to 30-26. Sutton attempted one final attack but pilgrims defence stood firm and they held on to take 5points from a well contested encounter. The Pilgrims travel to Beckenham next Saturday for what promises to be another close encounter.

We are thrilled to share some fantastic news from our ACE programme at The Archbishop’s School. Summer, a dedicated Year 12 student, has achieved an incredible milestone by being selected for the Rachael Burford Player Development Group (PDG).

Balancing her academic studies with her personal growth and sporting ambitions, Summer has shown outstanding commitment and determination. Her hard work paid off as she earned a starting position at hooker over the weekend—a testament to her skill and perseverance on the rugby field.

This achievement highlights the values we champion at ACE: resilience, dedication, and striving for excellence both in and out of the classroom. We couldn’t be prouder of Summer and look forward to seeing her continue to shine in her rugby journey.

Congratulations, Summer! Your success is an inspiration to us all.

Oops, we did it again, and we couldn’t be prouder. Canterbury Rugby Club has officially retained its title as Club of the Year for the fourth consecutive season, a remarkable achievement that speaks volumes about the passion, dedication, and unity of our Black & Amber family.

Out of twelve shortlisted clubs from across the UK, it was our name that echoed through the hall once more. The 2025 Club Awards ceremony was a celebration of excellence, and Canterbury stood tall among the best.

🌟 More Than Just One Win

Not only did we clinch the top honour, we were also shortlisted finalists in four prestigious categories:

• Diversity & Inclusion Club of the Year
• Catering Club of the Year
• Community Club of the Year
• Charity Club of the Year

These nominations reflect the breadth of our impact, from inclusive sport and culinary innovation to deep-rooted community engagement and charitable outreach.

💛 This Award Belongs to All of You

This victory is not just about trophies. It’s a tribute to every supporter, partner, player, staff member, and volunteer in all sections who pours their heart into our One Club ethos. Your energy, commitment, and belief make Canterbury Rugby Club what it is,  a beacon of excellence, inclusion, and community spirit.

As we celebrate this milestone, we also look ahead with renewed purpose. Let’s keep building, keep growing, and keep showing the world what One Club truly means.

Here’s to another season of heart, hustle, and honour.

Sittingbourne 2’s 50 – 7 Deacons

By the infamous Pete Demery

Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe sh..!

Fast charging, hard hitting Sittingbourne thwart Deacons.

Once again it took the Deacons some time to gel with lots of new players and regular players trying new positions on the pitch.
Sittingbourne were quick to capitalise, showing how effective a team that train and play together regularly can be.
Despite some valiant defensive efforts Bourne went across the try line repeatedly in the first half.
Capitalising on their strengths at scrum time, Sittingbourne had the rub of the decisions across the 80, causing havoc with their set piece play and adding to the Deacons frustrations with the penalty count.
Despite the occasional ‘interesting’ interjections from the referee, Canterbury started to gel in the second half. When we had the ball we were probing deeper into the home side’s territory & before long (after 2 disallowed) Adam Malik crossed the whitewash.
Sittingbourne kept the pressure high and looked threatening with every period of possession and were relentless in their pursuit of points.
With Steve Rutt joining the front row as a sub the scrums became stronger and more evenly contested. Dylan Coyle debuted at 9 and had a solid game. Callum Townsend stepped from the 5’s up and played brilliantly at flanker for the full 80. Adam Malik made a very welcome return to rugby and linked up with the ever present James Limmer in the forwards to offer some real momentum.
Rueben Kerr, Ronnie Wood & Brad Nicholson had a tough day in the front row but never showed any signs of giving up. Hayden Prett returned to his old club and tackled relentlessly in defense while carrying had in attack. Piers Weigh had a fantastic game on the backs nailing tackles on the wing & Matt Capper stepped into a centre role combining with Denton running attacking lines looking to release Harvey Ingram at 15, returning from injury.
We finished 50-7.
Deal next week at home. That ends our run of 4 on the bounce and we’ll have a rest.
Come and play Deacons rugby.

The Canons made it 3 wins in a row with a 26-13 victory against Old Gravesendians at the MTG.

Playing into a strong wind in the first half, the Canons spent the opening passages defending in their own half as OGs dominated possession.  The Canons held firm, with Joel Poulter leading the defensive charge, and midway through the half found a break through, with number 8 Jake Forrest scoring from short range following good work from the forwards.  Gravesendians responded however, scoring 2 unconverted tried in the lead up to half time to lead 10-5 at the break.

Following tactical changes at half time, and playing with the wind behind them, it didn’t take long for the Canons to cross the whitewash again, with replacem

ent prop Lennie West crashing over from short range. The extras were added by fly half Liam Browne.  From the restart, OGs pressure led to a number of infringements from Canterbury, allowing them to take the lead from the tee after a penalty in front of the posts – OGS advantage 13-12.  As the game entered the final quarter, and although the light faded, the Canons remained bright, with second converted scores for each of Forrest and West securing the bonus point and a win for the Canons.

It was a pleasing display for the Canons coaches, with the whole squad knowing that there is more for this team to give. The Canons have a big opportunity to carry on their run of form against Brockleians next week.

By Amber Waitimas

Jersey Women 14- 7 Canterbury Women 1st XV

It was an early start for the Canterbury Women as they set off bright and early to catch their flight to Jersey for a much-anticipated away fixture. Unfortunately, the island welcomed them with testing conditions: driving rain and strong winds made it clear from the outset that this was going to be a hard-fought contest.

With a double header scheduled alongside the Jersey Men’s fixture, the Canterbury Women showed great spirit by supporting the match before their own.

Canterbury travelled without their usual co-captain pairing due to injury, but leadership shone through regardless. Claire Bernthal and Emily Moriarty stepped up brilliantly on game day, providing calm guidance and essential support for the squad.

Once they took to the field, the challenging weather did little to shake their composure. The forwards carried hard, the handling was impressively clean given the conditions, and the lineout unit excelled, securing their own ball and stealing several from Jersey.

The match also saw the welcome return of Canterbury players Mimi Jupe (Team Manager) and Rebecca Sheene, whose impact off the bench was immediately felt. Across the pitch, players put their bodies on the line, demonstrating grit and determination throughout the contest.

Defensively, Canterbury were immense. Lily Philpott was relentless, making tackle after tackle and helping keep Jersey under constant pressure. Forward of the Match, Ellie Rowe, was a standout force in the pack, while Back of the Match, Emily Moriarty, making her first appearance at fly-half, showed excellent game management in difficult conditions.

Jersey opened the scoring with a well-taken try on the wing, which they successfully converted. Canterbury responded swiftly: after sustained pressure in Jersey’s half, a powerful team effort paved the way for Number 8 El Crowe to crash over the line. Layla Little added the extras to level the score at 7–7.

Canterbury continued to dominate territory, spending long spells inside the Jersey half. However, just before the break, Jersey capitalised on an overlap out wide to score their second try, taking the lead at halftime.

The second half showcased determined rugby from both sides. Canterbury repeatedly battled their way inside five metres of the Jersey line, but the hosts defended fiercely, denying any further points. Despite the weather and the physicality of the match, the game was played with tremendous spirit, and even featured an unexpected pitch invader in the form of a curious duck looking to join the action.

Though the result did not fall Canterbury’s way, the squad remained in high spirits and made the most of their time on the island.

Canterbury Women would like to extend their thanks to Jersey RFC for their warm hospitality, and to the Canterbury Women’s Committee for ensuring another successful away trip.

Oxford Harlequins 19 Canterbury 42

by Chris Fullbrook

Canterbury travelled to Oxford Harlequins on the back of mixed results but managed to put that behind them with a strong performance in poor weather conditions, but with the hosts having an artificial grass pitch, the playing surface was excellent. The city side have a good history of playing on plastic pitches and after an early onslaught, Eoin O’Donoghue broke free from a routine lineout catch and drive to score the first of his side’s seven tries. With Canterbury in the ascendancy, fly half Frank Reynolds barreled over from close range but was unable to convert his own try. O’Donoghue bagged another catch and drive score before a midfield break from Jimmy Walker and a clever kick ahead from Reynolds, allowed Luke Talbot to win the chase and touchdown and Reynolds add the extras. Despite an uncharacteristic off day with the boot, Reynolds was influential elsewhere and was on the end of some good support play to register his second try which took his side into the shelter of the changing room at half time with a 27-7 lead. Oxford’s only response had been a converted try, on the 30 minute mark, from Ben Jenkins, converted by Tom Cooke. With the weather easing after the break Canterbury hoped to continue their dominance but a dropped ball and stubborn defence from the home side, who twice held up surges over the line, denied the city side. Losing both captain Jamie Stephens and O’Donoghue to injury was another factor in keeping the second half scoreless for 15 minutes. Eventually Number Eight Tyler Oliver made the breakthrough his side was looking for with a try, this time converted by Reynolds.
With Canterbury reduced to 14 men for repeated infringements, the home side took advantage and Jenkins’ second try was again converted by full back Cooke. The city men replied immediately with Mo Pangarker finding a gap to bundle over. Forced to make several interchanges Canterbury then lost shape and momentum, allowing a strong Quins finish and a third try by Harry Burn. Reynolds’ late penalty goal brought up the 40 mark but as the home side chased a much-deserved bonus point, stout defence, where Ryley Thomas was excellent all day, kept them out and rounded off a much needed win for the Canterbury side.
Canterbury: L.Talbot, G.Jones, A.Moss, W.Waddington, O.Hewett, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, J.Walker, R.Thomas, T.Oliver. Replacements: H.Drane, T.Williams, M.Pangarker, O.Collins. J.Dengate.

MATCH PREVIEW

On the stroke of fifty minutes, we scored our fifth try against London Welsh and were comfortably ahead 31–5. We had navigated the first ten minutes of the second half—a period in recent weeks where we have often let the momentum swing away from us—and we had executed the plan we had prepared.
A combination of penalties, turnovers, and lineout errors saw us concede three tries in fifteen minutes, narrowing the gap to a single score and increasing the pressure on us. There was some excellent defence in the final passages of play and a great lineout steal from Charlie McGovern in the final minutes sealed the victory.
This was a much-needed win after our recent results, but there are some important lessons we must learn. As I have said many times before, there are no bad teams in this league and London Welsh have experience from leagues above, including the Championship, in their ranks. Controlling a game’s momentum is crucial if we are to continue winning and how we hand over possession to the opposition is at the heart of coming out on top.

Our attention now shifts to Oxford Harlequins this weekend, the last fixture of this three-game block. The shorter blocks we are now into are helpful in offering regular rest breaks, but it remains essential to stay focused. Oxford are a high-energy side who will play from anywhere and we travel knowing that we must be on high alert to contain their attacking threat.

The Pilgrims are also back in action with an away fixture at Sidcup, who sit second in the table. Winning their last three games has given the team renewed confidence and they are looking forward to the test that Sidcup will offer.

MATT CORKER, HEAD COACH

Deacons v Leigh

By Peter Demery

While the weather was damp and dull, the rugby wasn’t. Leigh arrived ready to challenge a Deacons pack that has been immovable most of the season.

Up front they were big, with strong runners & from kick off they made their presence felt.

Again it took the Deacons a period to settle into the game under sustained, relentless attacks. The defensive effort was huge and when we settled, the attacking prowess was quality.

The conditions didn’t help and the ball went loose a number of times in the first half which added to the frenetic nature of the game.

We led at half time but there was nothing in it at all.

The second half changes had an impact, although the pack still got out muscled at times with some key CCCU front row union members having a rest (or on International duty). The last 20 was key.

Deacons were behind, the changes had put fresh legs on but needed something else to raise the team.

A change to the front row & adding some more weight into the pack stopped the Leigh onslaught at scrum time. And at no.8 ‘Little Bear’ pulled out some huge hits.

As the Deacons steadily worked their way towards the try line the passion and teamwork was evident.

Going ahead it was time to manage the game in the dying minutes. Some outstanding work on the floor slowed down the Leigh counterattack after the restart before our very own Little Bear turned the ball over with the clock in the red.

Victory after a competitive game where any team could’ve taken the spoils.

The West brothers had a huge impact. The Coffin brothers were outstanding. Sam Roud showed he should be playing Deacons every week & Josh Lamb put most of the points on the board through clever running and his kicking. With a couple of Colts playing up for their first experience in senior rugby 19 Deacons played with the heart and soul we’ve come to expect from the clubs most fun, best looking team.

18 x POTM after that game.

Sittingbourne away next Saturday