Looking For The Double

CANTEBURY V WORTHING RAIDERS

After two tough games to start the year, fifty points on the road at Wimbledon last week was the perfect remedy. Among the eight tries we scored were some of the best of the season, with one being shortlisted for National league try of the week. A long term project has been to increase the speed that we attack with. When we get this right it has become a powerful weapon and you can see from the similes on the players faces how much they enjoy it. Wimbledon have averaged nearly four tries per game this season so, regardless of their league position, they know how to test the opposition. On review, we still need to move forward the efficiency of our defence as conceding six tries will not leave us as the winning side very often. The understanding in this area is getting better week on week but we still need to focus on the speed we are able to set our defence. The quicker we’re set, the quicker we can get off the line.
This weekend brings up a landmark for one of the club’s longest serving players. Tom Best makes his 300th appearance in the game against Worthing, something that is very rare and spans a 14 year career with the 1st XV. It is impossible to get anywhere near this many appearances without a serious and sustained level of commitment and the club continues to benefit from Tom’s competitiveness and experience. Here’s to the next 300! He will be working hard to help us complete a double over Worthing and the squad shows only one change. Shay Kerry returns to the second row in place of Jesse De Vries who, sadly, is absent because of a family bereavement.
The Pilgrims, like a lot of the country, had a week off last weekend due to a frozen pitch. They return to action against Deal and Betteshanger under Friday night lights. The Pilgrims Friday night games have been great occasions and there’s always an extra level of excitement. I have no doubt it will be another ripper and definitely one not to miss.

Matt Corker, Head Coach