Mission Accomplished For Pilgrims

CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 45 BECCEHAMIANS 7

by Dan Gill

Pilgrims had two aims: to bounce back from their first league defeat of the season against Bromley and to avenge the 63-0 humbling they suffered in the reverse of this fixture at the end of last season. It was mission accomplished. The city side were quick out of the blocks and were being directed around the park well by the experienced 10-12 axis of Will Hilton and Tom Best. They were making inroads into the visitors territory before their momentum was halted by a nasty looking ankle injury to loose forward Max McCormack which caused a lengthy delay. When play resumed Pilgrims’ asserted their set piece dominance with the pack driving Becc’s back at a scrum just inside their half to give Man of the Match Hector Valladares good front foot ball. The backs moved the ball wide with pace which created gaps in the Beccs defence which open side flank Harvey Furneaux exploited with the first of his numerous line breaks. The ball was recycled quickly and simple hands put speedster Max Campbell away for a converted score. This was quickly followed by a second try after the pack drove Beccs back at a scrum with captain Al Evans breaking off the base before new signing Charlie McGovern marked his Pilgrims debut with a deft pick up to dive over. The try was converted. Pilgrims were back on the attack from the kick off and looking to stretch the play at every opportunity. The direct running of Sonny Trew-Neville and Adrian Geddes punched holes in Beccs defence, creating space which Campbell and Harvey Young exploited at every opportunity. The visitors were always a threat on turnover ball, however, and it was they who scored next. A stray miss pass was dropped, allowing Beccs pacey winger to scoop up the loose ball and elude the covering defence. Pilgrims, with the advantage of the slope, were soon back Into their stride in the second half. Al Evans was next on the score sheet, powering over from close range after a tap penalty.  Another quickly followed as good scrum ball was moved well to the left touch line allowing wingman Geddes to touch down. Best showed his class to identify space and his deft chip over the defence was well finished by Campbell before Harvey Furneaux ended the scoring with the try of the day. Bursting through a gap he left any number of defenders in his wake to cap off a solid display The bonus point win keeps the Pilgrims at the top of Counties 1. They make the short trip to local rivals Dover next Saturday for what promises to be another keenly contested encounter.