Defeat At The Death

CANTERBURY 29 BARNES 31

by David Haigh

A Barnes try from the final play of the game snatched victory from a Canterbury team which lost its way in the second half. The defeat also confirmed that they will end the National 2 East season in fifth spot, one behind the victorious visitors. This was a disappointment for a city side which dominated the first half, scored three outstanding tries, with a penalty try thrown in for good measure, and were fourteen points ahead at the break. Two of the scores came from wing Aiden Moss, playing his last game before calling time on an outstanding career with the club. He showed that his talents remain undimmed with a powerful finish after just two minutes and, on the half hour, silky footwork brought the second. Barnes made a quick reply to the early set back, with a try from fly half Will Nicholson, but Canterbury’s attacking mindset proved irresistible. Will Waddington’s break and swift support work prefaced the first try and, after 15 minutes, a great off-load from Moss and Charlie McGovern’s pace brought another. A yellow card for an under pressure Barnes saw Canterbury push further ahead as they forced the penalty try and, when classy handing by the backs released Moss again, things looked good. With two conversions from Frank Reynolds they led 26-5, but three minutes before half time Barnes showed they were up for the fight as pack power rewarded them with a penalty try of their own. They kept that momentum going in the second half as Canterbury’s fluency deserted them. An Elliot Haydon try and Nicholson’s conversion narrowed the gap to seven points as the city side dropped passes and struggled to hold on to possession. All they mustered was a Reynolds penalty goal, but missed out on a Tyler Oliver break when he failed to spot the support. In the last quarter Barnes tightened their grip and a catch and drive try from Adam Musa, converted by Nicholson, put the game on edge. There were yellow cards for Cameron Macmillan and Oliver as Canterbury defended strongly, but too many penalties were conceded and it cost them that last gasp catch and drive try from Rory Kassapian.

Canterbury: K.Heatherley, A.Moss, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, L.Talbot, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostik, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, J.Walker, R.Thomas, T.Oliver. Replacements: T.Williams, J.Dengate, C.Macmillan, F.Morgan, J.De Vries.