Errors Undo Winning Run

HAVANT 28 CANTERBURY 21

by David Haigh

Canterbury’s winning run came to a disappointing end at the hands of a confident Havant who have discovered their best form in recent weeks. Here, their job was made easier by a city side whose basic faults of missed tackles, poor ball retention and questionable decision making added up to one of their weakest performances. It bore no resemblance to the impressive show of the previous week, but at least they managed to come away with a losing bonus point. It was tackle failures that gave Havant the territory to build a fourteen point lead in the opening quarter of an hour; first through a catch and drive try from Sean Shepherd, then a decisive finish by wing Will Perry, both converted by Joel Knight. After those shocks, Canterbury built one or two promising attacks but ruined their chances by giving away penalties and had to work hard to keep their own line intact, in particular a brave last ditch tackle on wing Sam Trodd. Despite the pressure, the city side somehow reached the break only one score behind. In the final minute of the half the forwards established a platform, kept their discipline and scrum half Presley Farrance wriggled over and Frank Reynolds converted. It seemed Canterbury may have opened a new chapter at the start of the second half as they drew level for the first time. Hooker Eoin O’Donoghue had come off the replacements bench and immediately justified the move with a first minute, close quarter try which Reynolds converted. That brought fresh hope but It did not last long as the earlier failings surfaced again. Havant, always looking the more assured, turned over ball, set Perry free and he slipped the scoring pass to Ben Grffin. Knight converted but going into the final quarter Canterbury found some of that elusive cohesion and centre Will Waddington’s fine burst took him under the the posts, leaving Reynolds an easy goal target,. However, that was as good as it got with Havant controlling the late stages, holding possession efficiently and producing the winning try. They again asked questions of the city’s defending, made space on the right flank and Dylan Evans’ converted touchdown won the bonus point and the game.
Canterbury; K.Heatherley, A.Moss, H.Sloan, W.Waddington, L.Talbot, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, J.Dengate, O.Frostick, J.De Vries, J.Stephens, C.McGovern, R.Thomas, J.Walker. Replacements: O.Hewett, E.O’Donoghue, T.Oliver, T.Williams, C.Macmillan