PILGRIMS AWAY DAY WIN

HASTINGS & BEXHILL 20 CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 29

What a game of rugby with the result only sorted in the last few minutes as Pilgrims registered a first Counties Kent 2 away win of the season. Canterbury started well, built pressure which brought a yellow card for the home side and a try for Jake Dengate. A great 70 metre solo try from scrum half Ollie Ashley-Jones, converted by Alex Williams, saw them go twelve points ahead and begin to look comfortable. That did not last. What eroded Pilgrims lead was a spell in which they conceded needless penalties and Hasting put themselves back in the frame by converting two of them before half time.
The second half started with the home side in ascendancy and Pilgrims errors were punished as they conceded an early converted try to find themselves a point in arrears. They were now far from their best but Alex Williams fine kicking and a try saving tackle from man of the match Sherif Lanre kept a confident Hastings at bay. Ashley-Jones won back the lead with a penalty goal but the home side went ahead again as they exploited errors and poor tackling with a converted try. Then suddenly, Vaughn Meredith scored a sole try from nowhere, a 40 metre run ending under the posts and converted by Ashley-Jones. It was still anyone’s game but in the last two minutes it was Pilgrims who exerted heavy pressure and forced Hastings to concede a penalty try to seal a hard fought win which lifts them to fourth in the league table.

This coming Saturday Pilgrims play Old Dunstonians at home, kick-off 3pm. Book on line for a two course lunch for £12-50 and come and watch the team make a charge towards the top of the table.