Tempo Tells For Pilgrims

CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 67 PARK HOUSE 12

by Dan Gill

With frost impacting fixtures across the county, this game was moved to the 4g pitch at the Langton to ensure it went ahead. The city side signalled their intent from the first whistle with some typically aggressive defence. This led to the first score of the afternoon when Pilgrims defence pressed hard and centre Harry Chubb intercepted a Park House pass to race through and score the first of his hat trick of tries and give Owain Collins a simple conversion. This was quickly followed by a second unconverted score from Guy Hilton before Park House responded with a close range try of their own out wide to bring the score to 12-5. 
The Pilgrims responded well and had the bonus point secured before half time with tries from Cam MacMillan and Chubbs taking the Half time score to 24-5.
The second half saw the Pilgrims up their accuracy and speed of play to a tempo that Park House found difficult to live with. Backs and forwards combined well to add a further seven tries. Henry Kenny continuing his fine scoring form to burst through and race away to touch down before wingers Lister and True-Neville added tries of their own. Veteran centre Tom Best got in on the act with a typically direct run to power over before open side flanker Tom Mackenzie added a brace with his quick feet and turn of pace. Chubb’s hat trick score completed the rout. To their credit the visitors were always a threat and scored arguably the try of the day with the final whistle looming. A loose pass was expertly flicked up by the Park House centre who re-gathered his deft touch before racing through for a converted try.
Next Saturday the team travel to local rivals Deal & Bettseshanger for what is always a competitive fixture. 
Pilgrims: MacMillan, Rothery, Frostick, Kenny, De Moubray, Geddes, Mackenzie, Evans, Valladares, Collins, Lister, Best, Chubb, Trew-Neville, G Hilton, Gill, Divine, Sloan.