Category: Uncategorised

By Tom Short

The Canons had their first win of the league season, beating old foes Old Williamsonians 31-22 at the MTG.

With both teams searching for a first win of the season, and Old Wills being the only team to beat the Canons last year, it was going to be an intense game from the start.  The Canons started brightly with strong carrying from the forwards, however fell behind to an early penalty following some ill-discipline.  The Canons recovered well from the kick off, and after winning penalties of their own worked their way up field.  After some good pressure on the OWs try line, Lennie West crashed over from short range to give the Canons their first try of the afternoon.  The game was in a period of stalemate, before Old Wills scored their first try after a good line from their outside centre wrong footed the Canons defence.  The Old Wills lead was short lived, with almost an exact replica of the first try leading to West scoring his second.  Old Wills had the last laugh of the half however, with their centre again breaking tackles to score his second and restore the visitors lead.

The Old Wills momentum followed at the start of the second half after some scrappy play, from which they hacked through and dotted down to take a 10 point lead.  The Canons reacted, and after some good phase play and strong carries, the powerful Terrel Thomas trundled over from short range.  With fire in their bellies, the Canons began to dominate and grabbed the next score to retake the lead, with Ollie Jeffery scoring the bonus point try.  This was quickly followed by a breakaway try for Will Rayner to give the Canons some breathing space which they held until the end of the game, denying Old Wills any league points from the fixture.

Now off the mark, the Canons have a break in fixtures but will look to carry on their winning ways against New Ash Green on 8^th November and continue to climb the Counties 3 table.

Pilgrims 26
Dartfordians 17

Pilgrims steady improvement coupled with the return of some experienced players ensured they secured a deserved first league win of the season against a competitive Dartfordians side. Dartfordians were quick out of the blocks as they looked to put the pilgrims under pressure from the outset with their offload game looking to stress the home defence.

The pilgrims were absorbing pressure well and exploited a wayward Dartfordians pass as last seasons top scorer Gus Lister- making his first appearance of the season- intercepted and raced away to score under the posts making Collins’ conversion a formality. 7-0.

Dartfordians hit back shortly after, breaking through tackles out wide to score an unconverted try in the corner. 7-5. Pilgrims had clear scrum superiority and used 2 penalty opportunities awarded at scrum time to extend the lead to 13-5 despite a yellow card to prop Harry Drane, before Dartfordians narrowed the deficit to just a point with a converted try on the stroke of Half time as they exploited their numerical advantage after winger Archie English was given 10 mins in the sin bin for a tip tackle and a 2nd yellow card of the half. 13-12.

Dartfordians made their numbers and the slope count as they took the lead within moments of the restart, moving the ball wide well to score in the corner. 13-17.

The remainder of the half saw the Pilgrims side start dominate the game with the strong runs of 8th man Mo Pangarker getting them on the front foot. The scrum was dominant and another penalty was added by Collins to reduce the arrears to 16-17 before an excellent break by him saw him burst through the middle, he showed great skill to offload behind his back to the supporting Lister who raced away to score under the posts and deservedly put the Pilgrims back in front. 23-17.
With the clock ticking down, another penalty was won by the forwards which allowed Collins a shot at goal to deny Dartfordians a bonus point which he stepped up and slotted to give the Pilgrims a well earned first league win, 26-17.

Team: MacMillan, Bull, Drane, Nicholson, Gill, Hunt (C), Devine, Pangarker, Valladares, Parker, Thompson, Hilton, Lister, Masaka, Collins, Everatt, Oliver, English.

Canterbury Rugby Club is bursting with pride as former Canterbury Women and University of Kent standout Jemma takes another monumental step in her rugby journey, earning selection for the England Rugby Women’s Pathway Backs Positional Camp for the 2025/26 season.

A familiar face in black and amber, Jemma-Jo  lit up the pitch for several seasons with her exceptional talent, tenacity, and leadership. Whether carving up defences or inspiring teammates, she left an indelible mark on both Canterbury Women and the University of Kent sides, embodying the spirit and skill that define our club.

Her rise through the ranks has been nothing short of inspiring. Just last weekend, she lifted the PWR Cup for the second consecutive year a testament to her consistency and elite performance at the highest level of domestic rugby. Now, she joins a select group of athletes at the England Rugby Women’s Pathway Camp, where she’ll train alongside the country’s top emerging backs, sharpening her skills and pushing toward future international honours.

The Pathway programme is designed to identify and nurture England’s next generation of Red Roses, and Jemma’s inclusion is a powerful recognition of her hard work, resilience, and outstanding form.
We couldn’t be prouder to see one of our own stepping into this exciting new chapter. From her early days in Canterbury colours to national recognition, Jemma continues to inspire players across our club and beyond.

Congratulations, Jemma your black and amber family is cheering you on every step of the way!

OLD ALBANIAN 43 CANTERBURY 31

by David Haigh

The precision and pace of the National 2 East league leaders proved too much for a patched up Canterbury but their competitive qualities earned them late scores and a bonus point. It was the first time Albanians have conceded a bonus point this season, so that was a positive for an injury blighted city squad, but when it came to scoring chances the hosts were far more clinical. Canterbury started well, with a try from Number Eight Tyler Oliver after only two minutes, created from a blindside side move off an attacking lineout. The lead didn’t last long as Albanians clicked into gear and their speed and assured handling saw Alex Noot curve round the defence to leave Elliot McPhun a simple conversion. Before the first quarter was up they had plundered two more tries, through Dan Barnett and Noot again, but from that point the city side seized the momentum. Abanians poor discipline cost them penalties and a yellow card and they were punished by an Eoin O’Donoguev catch and drive try. Frank Reynolds added the goal to cut the deficit to five but in the final play of the half Canterbury gave away a soft try as Albanians wing Jonathan Ilori grabbed an interception and McPhun’s kick pushed his side into 24-12 advantage. The city defence was unpicked again at the start of the second half, with IIore crossing for his second touchdown but another tight driving maul by the city forwards ushered O’Donoghue over to keep them in touch. However, the game began to unravel for Canterbury as the lineout wobbled in good scoring positions and Noot collected his hat trick for the home side after Harvey Furneaux was shown a yellow card. Josh Skelcey took Albanians clear with a seventh try and two McPhun conversions sealed the result. What Canterbury may have lacked in some quarters, however, they redeemed with fighting qualities, line breaks and skill in the closing minutes. Henry Kenny’s close range score earned them that valuable bonus point, Will Waddington touched down in the last play and Reynolds two conversions put a proper reflection on the scoreline.

Canterbury: P.Farrance, T.Barton, G.Jones, W.Waddington, H.Furneaux, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, C.McGovern,J.Stephens, J.Walker, R.Thomas, T.Oliver. Replacements: L.Young, T.Mackenzie, H.Kenny, J.Dengate, A.Geddes

We’re sending a huge congratulations to former Canterbury Rugby player Jemma- Jo Linkins, who lifted the PWR Cup on Saturday with Saracens Women for a second year in a row!

Jemma’s journey from local standout to professional powerhouse has been nothing short of inspiring. During her time with Canterbury, she was a force to be reckoned with, earning the title of Top Try Scorer two years running before being signed by Saracens Women.
Her latest triumph is a testament to her talent, dedication, and relentless drive. We couldn’t be prouder to see one of our own making waves on the national stage.

Well done, Jemma you continue to inspire us all! 💪

By Pete. Age 44 1/2.

Determined Deacons fall short after Maidstone’s fast start.

From the off it was clear it would be a tough day at the office with Maidstone fielding a strong youthful team. The visitors started with a period of sustained attack eventually scoring in the first quarter. The pace of play was incredible as Maidstone stretched a dogged defence.Inevitability they went ahead if the home side with a couple of quick tries.

The Deacons once again put out a team blending CCCU students with regular players and some faithful Zingari warriors stepping up to help out. As always it took a period of time for the home side to settle in & the defence continued to be stretched by a Maidstone team with a number of big runners and quick wingers.

That light was snuffed out in the fullness of time with Maidstone proving to be too strong on defence when Canterbury had the ball. No doubt we left some points on the pitch but against a strong 2nd team whose average age was lower than most of my socks we were beaten.
Dan Head once again proved to be excellent at 10, appearances from the reviled Si Crossly & some strong running from Jake Price were fantastic to see, as was our scrum, Maidstone using every prop on their bench to try and thwart the Canterbury scrum.

We came 2nd.

Never knowingly beaten the Deacons struck back before half time keeping hopes alive.

POTM – Ash the Flash