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PILGRIMS ARE CHAMPIONS
CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 28 ASHFORD 18
by John Mitchell
Pilgrims crowned their outstanding season with a victory that sealed the Counties 1 Kent title with two games still to play. To achieve it they had to come from behind before seeing off a robust challenge from East Kent neighbours Ashford. After losing their first game of the campaign the previous week Canterbury had to regroup. They fielded a squad showing seven changes and a slow start saw them thirteen points down after the first half hour. By half time. however, they cut out earlier mistakes, moved into a one point lead and took charge after the break. The game did not start well for the home side. Within three minutes Ashford took the lead with a push over try while a scrappy Pilgrims could not get their moves going as knock-ons and penalties frustrated them. The visitors pushed further ahead with a second unconverted try and when they added a penalty goal to open that thirteen point gap Pilgrims needed a response. Then things started to change. Good attacking play saw Gus Lister score an excellent try converted by Will Hilton. Wing Max Campbell’s individual effort brought another score and with Hilton again on target it gave Pilgrims a slender lead. The champions elect survived a ten minute sin binning for Harvey Furneaux and then gradually stamped their authority on the match in the second half. A great try by Jordan Constant, converted by Hilton, made it 21-13 and Sonny Trew-Neville got the fourth, bonus point touch down. Hilton’s successful kick made his side even more comfortable and although a resilient Ashford managed a late try the title was by then firmly in Canterbury’s grasp as they maintained a 100 percent home record.
John Grewar, making his second appearance of the campaign, and Gus Lister shared the Man of the Match award. Awards, made possible by our sponsors, also went to Jon Foster the Coach, Ben Cassidy the Physio, and thirty-nine-year old stalwart Dan Gill, who played in nearly every game. And a special mention goes to Adrian Geddes, the only player not to miss a game all season. This week Pilgrims are away to Bromley who are in fourth in the table.
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