FRIDAY NIGHT’S ACTION

CANTERBURY 21 TONBRDGE JUDDIANS 26

This was a high tempo pre-season work out for both clubs with TJs edging a game played in four 20-minute sessions and expanded squads being rotated to give everyone one a taste of the action. Although billed as a friendly there was no shortage of competitive edge and the result was in the balance right to the final play. Tries from new boys Alfie Orris and Mo Pangarker, both converted by Frank Reynolds, gave Canterbury the best of the first session. Wingman Orris beat his marker in impressive style while Pangarker brought a powerful finish to some solid forward pressure. The visitors cut the lead with a converted try and by the end of the second session were four points ahead, neat work from their back division then a missed tackle yielding two tries. Canterbury were then guilty of conceding penalties and paid the price as they fell further behind to TJs fourth score, a converted touchdown. The city side hit back hard as the forwards built up a head of steam to set up a sniping try by scrum half Tom Williams, Reynolds adding the goal points, and they dominated the closing stages. In the last minute a knock-on with the line beckoning denied them an equaliser they probably deserved.