News
Match Preview and Canterbury Tales – 26/11/2022
CANTERBURY v OLD ALBANIAN
After a week’s break the team face a testing return to duty with the visit of Old Albanian who currently sit fourth in National2 East. With seven victories, one of them over leaders Blackheath, and three defeats they are making a serious challenge for honours. Head Coach Matt Corker has welcomed news that his squad is now mostly free from the illness which affected their performance last time out. The pack is unchanged and the only adjustments to the back division come on the replacements bench where Frank Morgan returns after successfully completing concussion protocols. He is joined by scrum half Tom Williams who makes a long awaited return after recovering from a serious shoulder injury in pre-season game. Matt Corker writes: “The week off came at a good time for us and we used the break to not only reflect on the first ten games but also focus on what we want the story of the rest of the season to be. We are very fortunate to have Chris Musgrove on board as our mental skills coach and he did a great session with both the Pilgrims and 1st XV putting some detail on what we want to achieve, and importantly how are we going to do it. I see these next four games before the Christmas break as a real opportunity to show what the team is capable of, and with 20 points up for grabs there is a great deal to be gained. The squad has trained well this week and the players look fresh from a weekend off. We know that Old Albanians will be becoming full of confidence after a strong start to the season and I am expecting another very competitive afternoon of National league rugby.“
The Pilgrims face a tough Counties Kent 2 assignment as they travel to Bromley to meet Park House. If they are to maintain their third position in the league they must come away with a result against a side with a similar playing record and who are unbeaten home this season.
CANTERBURY TALES
TOP CLUB
We have has been named Rugby Club of the Year at a National awards ceremony. The accolade came at the Club Mirror Awards in Leicester. The Club Mirror Media group champions licensed clubs across a wide field, including sport, and makes the awards annually. Canterbury were also finalists in the Social Media category. Chairman Giles Hilton, Club Secretary Sally Taylor, and Communications Manager Denys Andrianjafy accepted the award on behalf of the club. “This is really a recognition of us as an inclusive community club ” said Giles. “The great thing about the Club Mirror Awards is that they look at the activity of the club as a whole, So it really is testament to us as #OneClub”.
HEART OF SUCCESS
It has been a busy seven days at the club. Last weekend saw over 200 members take part in the heart screening programme aimed at identifying young people who might be at risk of Sudden death Syndrome. Members between the ages of 14 and 35 were invited to have a screening. There was another encouraging response to the Careers Fair where local businesses showcased career opportunities to students and others seeking a change of work.
