SQUAD IMPRESS AT BLACKHEATH

BLACKHEATH 21 CANTERBURY 54

This victory will have given Canterbury a massive preseason boost of confidence ahead of next Saturday’s opening league game at Sevenoaks. Playing a brand of fast, open rugby they swept aside the National Division One club with six of their eight tries coming in the second half. After trailing by nine points at half time the city side dominated possession and territory for the next forty minutes as their pack took total charge and a vibrant back division made the most of its opportunities. Canterbury made an early statement with the Friday night game’s opening try; wing Alfie Orris’s made the important yards and Lewis Hollidge finished off. Blackheath, with their strongest combination on show, were made to work for everything by a city side which brought physicality and skill to their game. Penalties gave the home side the chances to score three forward-oriented tries but the city side replied with a second after turning over a kick-off and Orris splitting the defence. Both sides made changes at the break but it was the Canterbury bench that proved far stronger as they brought high powered scrummaging and ball carrying which Blckheath could not match. The tries that followed featured effective driving close to the line, swift and accurate handling by the backs and a clear focus from every player. Tom Williams (2), Orris, Luke Webber and Frank Morgan were among those who crossed the line and Frank Reynolds accuracy from the kicking tee saw him land seven conversions to cap the squad’s impressive performance.