Success On The Road

Oxford Harlequins 19 Canterbury 42

by Chris Fullbrook

Canterbury travelled to Oxford Harlequins on the back of mixed results but managed to put that behind them with a strong performance in poor weather conditions, but with the hosts having an artificial grass pitch, the playing surface was excellent. The city side have a good history of playing on plastic pitches and after an early onslaught, Eoin O’Donoghue broke free from a routine lineout catch and drive to score the first of his side’s seven tries. With Canterbury in the ascendancy, fly half Frank Reynolds barreled over from close range but was unable to convert his own try. O’Donoghue bagged another catch and drive score before a midfield break from Jimmy Walker and a clever kick ahead from Reynolds, allowed Luke Talbot to win the chase and touchdown and Reynolds add the extras. Despite an uncharacteristic off day with the boot, Reynolds was influential elsewhere and was on the end of some good support play to register his second try which took his side into the shelter of the changing room at half time with a 27-7 lead. Oxford’s only response had been a converted try, on the 30 minute mark, from Ben Jenkins, converted by Tom Cooke. With the weather easing after the break Canterbury hoped to continue their dominance but a dropped ball and stubborn defence from the home side, who twice held up surges over the line, denied the city side. Losing both captain Jamie Stephens and O’Donoghue to injury was another factor in keeping the second half scoreless for 15 minutes. Eventually Number Eight Tyler Oliver made the breakthrough his side was looking for with a try, this time converted by Reynolds.
With Canterbury reduced to 14 men for repeated infringements, the home side took advantage and Jenkins’ second try was again converted by full back Cooke. The city men replied immediately with Mo Pangarker finding a gap to bundle over. Forced to make several interchanges Canterbury then lost shape and momentum, allowing a strong Quins finish and a third try by Harry Burn. Reynolds’ late penalty goal brought up the 40 mark but as the home side chased a much-deserved bonus point, stout defence, where Ryley Thomas was excellent all day, kept them out and rounded off a much needed win for the Canterbury side.
Canterbury: L.Talbot, G.Jones, A.Moss, W.Waddington, O.Hewett, F.Reynolds, P.Farrance, D.Huntley, E.O’Donoghue, O.Frostick, C.McGovern, J.Stephens, J.Walker, R.Thomas, T.Oliver. Replacements: H.Drane, T.Williams, M.Pangarker, O.Collins. J.Dengate.