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POOR START PROVES COSTLY
CANTERBURY 13 BARNES 22
by David Haigh
Early errors were to prove costly for an off colour Canterbury who failed to score a point in the second half as they struggled to crack a strong visiting defence. Barnes pounced on mistakes in the first ten minutes to score two of their three tries and although they reached half time only six points in front their shrewd game management helped to earn the win. The omens were not promising for Canterbury when centre Frank Morgan was injured in the pre-match warm-up, forcing a hasty reshuffle of the back division. When the game did get under way Barnes stole the first lineout, won a penalty and skipper Rory Kassapian’s try put them ahead after only three minutes. A dropped ball quickly gave them another foothold and a penalty for a high tackle ended in a driving maul and a try for centre Lewis Jones, converted by Jack Martin. Canterbury had hardly been seen at this point but found a way back after fifteen minutes, building their first real pressure before spreading the attack wide where Kurt Heatherley sent Alfie Orris across in the corner. Frank Reynolds brought more cheer with a conversion from the touchline and it was his boot that promised to open second half opportunities. Before he obliged with two penalty goals, however, there was further trouble. A penalty conceded at the scrum, an area where Barnes mostly had the edge, put Canterbury under the pump again and dragging down a maul illegally on their own line cost seven points from a penalty try. That still left the city team looking slight favourites in the second half and only a great cover tackle denied Garry Jones an early try. Then a turnover seemed certain to bring a score but they blew the chance and in persistent rain, the match developed into an untidy battle of wills. Barnes claimed a good share of territory and Canterbury’s commendable defensive efforts denied them a bonus point try but, in the debit column, they scrambled for ideas in attack. Twelve minutes from the end Martin kicked a simple penalty goal for the visitors to leave the city side needing two scores to grab a win. A lack of bite and an effective strategy in the face of determined tacklers meant the job was beyond them, so they drop to sixth in the National 2 East table.
Canterbury: K.Heatherley, T.Williams, G.Jones, W.Waddington, A.Orris, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, D.Irvine, J.Stephens, S.Rogers, T.Mackenzie, T.Oliver. Replacements: N.Morris, D.Herriott, H.Kenny, C.Thomas, T.King
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