News
Walsham Hit For Six
NORTH WALSHAM VIKINGS 10 CANTERBURY 54
by David Haigh
Six second half tries swept North Walsham aside as Canterbury’s domination of possession and territory took its toll on the league’s basement club. The first half ended with the city side, despite having massive overall control, just six points in front but after the break they shook the journey to Norfolk out of their system and brought fresh, match winning energy and purpose to their work. The bulk of Canterbury’s first half points came from the boot of fly half Frank Reynolds who kicked three penalty goals and converted a 26th minute catch and drive try from Tyler Oliver. A young and out muscled Walsham side nevertheless put in a great defensive shift and when a rare attacking chance came they took it. An intercepted pass and slick handling sent wing Tawanda Kendemawa clear for a try, converted by Ross Magnus, who added a penalty goal in the final minute of the half. However, any hopes of a first league victory the Vikings may have entertained were rapidly destroyed as Canterbury raised the intensity from start of the second half and never let go. The hosts were targeted by a superior pack that served up as stream of possession from the set pieces and now turned it into points with four close range tries. Lock Shay Kerry got the first four minutes after the restart but it was in the final quarter that the tries flowed. With the ball carriers making constant inroads Jamie Stephens, twice, and Will McColl made the touchdowns. Late in the day the attack was spread wider and overlaps created scores for wings Alfie Orris and, finally, Garry Jones. Four more conversions from Reynolds made sure the fifty mark was passed as Canterbury took maximum points to consolidate their seventh place in the National 2 East table.
CANTERBURY: W.Waddington, G.Jones, F.Morgan, T.Best, A,Moss, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, C.Macmillan, N.Morris, D.Herriott, D.Irvine, S.Kerry, J.Stephens, C.Murray, T.Oliver. Replacements: E.O.Donoghue, W.McColl, A.Orris, B.Cooper, S.Rogers