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HARD WORK AT WORTHING
WORTHING 25 CANTERBURY 29
by Chris Fullbrook
Canterbury extended their winning streak to six games but were made to work hard for it by National 2 East’s bottom club. It was the home side that struck first with hooker Harrison Dakin on the back of a five-metre lineout catch and drive but Charlie Spencer was unable to add the extras. A missed penalty by Canterbury’s Frank Reynolds was followed closely by the loss of Chad Thomas to a shoulder injury. Having re-grouped, the city side then scored twice within ten minutes, the first from in-form full back Kurt Heatherley, capitalising on a spilt cross field kick from Tom Best. The versatile Tom Williams, scrum half by trade but playing on the wing, got the second, cutting inside his opposite number and showing the defence a clean pair of heels to score under the posts. Reynolds added the extras to both tries. Worthing rallied and having had the lion’s share of the first half possession, fielded a missed touch kick before drawing in the Canterbury defence to send winger Spencer across in the opposite corner, but he was unable to convert to his own score. Only four points ahead at the start of the second half, Canterbury lost centre Tom Best to the sin bin for a team yellow card, having been on a warning from Referee Max Marshall from the previous half. However, it was the city side who scored whilst down to fourteen men after strong attacking from their forwards and quick hands out wide paved the way for the league’s top try scorer, Garry Jones, to add to his tally. Reynolds failed with the conversion but was on target with a penalty minutes later to stretch the visitors lead to twelve points. Canterbury now looked to be dominating the game but an interception and 80 metre run to the posts from Worthing skipper ack Forrest, plus Tom Derrick’s conversion, allowed the home side to get their heads up. When centre Derrick grabbed another try four minutes later Worthing were eyeing only their second victory of the season. The decisive score, however, went to Canterbury who were awarded a penalty try when home Number Eight Frank Taggart pulled down a close range maul, having entered from the side. Worthing ended the stronger of the two sides but were only able to add a further three points, a penalty goal from the boot of Derrick, to gain a much deserved second bonus point.
Canterbury: K.Heatherley, G.Jones, W.Waddington, T.Best, T.Williams, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, C.Thomas, S.Rogers, T.Oliver. Replacements: A.Cooper, T.Mackenzie, D.Irvine, H.Young, M.Campbell,
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