Defensive Master Class

HENLEY HAWKS 17 CANTERBURY 22

by David Haigh

A tough as teak defensive effort earned Canterbury a first National 2 East success at Henley for six years. Reaching the break seven points in arrears an assured second half performance, in which they tightened their discipline and scored three tries, saw them finish as deserved winners. After missing an early opportunity to take the lead the city side came under periods of intense pressure as they conceded penalties and turned over possession. But every time the Hawks came knocking they were denied entry and only allowed through the front door once. That came in the 29th minute after Henley’s Max Tichener and Frank Reynolds had kicked a penalty goal apiece. The work of the home forwards at last paid off as Nelly Kinninsburgh was driven over and Tichener converted the try but it was not all one way traffic. Canterbury’s best attacks were let down by dropped passes so it was their organisation and aggression in the tackle that saw them through to half time. They came out for the second half not only refreshed but in clinical mood as they scored two tries in the first ten minutes. It was Hawks who were now stacking up the infringements and feeling the pressure. Mo Pangarker powered over from close range for the first score, converted by Reynolds, and four minutes later fellow flanker Ryley Thomas’s touchdown took the city side into the lead. However, experience has shown that Henley do not surrender easily on their home turf and, despite being handicapped by a series of injuries, they exploited an indifferent kick to win territory and create a try for Oskar White. Tichener booted them back into the lead from the tee. They held on to it for ten minutes but a fine break by scrum half Tom Williams won position, followed by a yellow card for the hosts and a penalty which Canterbury punished with a catch and drive try from Eoin O’Donoghue and a Reynolds conversion. That proved decisive, although Henley came knocking hard again in the late stages. Despite losing Harry Sloan to a yellow card for the final six minutes the city side’s dominant scrum and defensive mastery ensured they gave nothing away.

Canterbury: L.Talbot, H.Furneaux, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, F.Morgan, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, L.Young, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, R.Thomas, M.Pangarker, T.Oliver. Replacements: J.Walker, D.Huntley, K.Heatherley, C.Macmillan, J.De Vries