Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Hockey
Canterbury men have continued their preparations for the new National League Premier Division season. The city club enjoyed a 4-2 win against Lille at Polo Farm on Saturday, although the game took its toll as the weary Canterbury side lost 2-1 to Southgate. The pre-season campaign had begun with success in a pre-season round-robin tournament at Tonbridge School. The city club’s youthful side began with a 2-2 draw against Beeston thanks to goals from Harry Roberts and new 1st XI skipper Craig Boyne. Roberts was again on target as the city club overcame Holcombe in their second game, with Bill Cain got what turned out to be a winner in a 2-1 success Holcombe beat Beeston 4-1 but lost 4-2 to East Grinstead, who led Canterbury 2-1 in their third game, only for the city club to roar back for a 5-2 win. James Oates scored a double, with Roberts, Louis Duprez and Tom Bean also on the mark. Canterbury finished top of the group to tee-up a final against EGS, which they won 4-1 thanks to Oates (2), Duprez and James Meakin. Unlocking tight defences will be an important factor if Canterbury are to make an impact on the new season.
In their second pre-season game, it took them almost 40 minutes to find a way past a tenacious Park side who, in typical Kent derby mode, made the city side work hard for their success.
A controlled second-half performance eased Canterbury home but they will know there is plenty to refine before the serious business of National 2 South rugby arrives next month.
Playing against wind and slope in the first half, the National 3 visitors contested territory fiercely, halting the city side’s flow and disrupted their possession skilfully.
Until the last minute of the half, only a couple Martyn Beaumont penalty goals kept Canterbury in front before an enterprising try widened the gap.
Dan Smart’s quick throw-in allowed full-back Aiden Moss to make a penetrating run from deep before Beaumont finished off and added the goal points.
It left the city side still with plenty to do, playing against the elements after the break but they went about their business intelligently.
An early Beaumont break made a try for Harry Sayers to give them breathing space and they proceeded to control possession for long periods through close quarter driving.
The tireless work of flanker Sam Rogers typified their approach, there was measured control at the set scrums and with ball in hand, they looked a more threatening unit than earlier in the contest.
Park deservedly pulled back a try, started and finished by their scrumhalf but soon conceded a penalty when under pressure. From the line-out, Canterbury’s catch and drive saw prop Jim Green get the touch down and Ollie Best added the conversion.
A 20-point gap was beyond the visitors but they were always looking for positives and a powerful crash ball move in midfield was rewarded with a late, converted try. Canterbury: A.moss ( repl G.hilton), K.thompson, J.jones, W.farris ( repl O.best), N.baro Mestres ( repl H.sayers), M.beaumont, D.smart, J.green, T.rogers, S.kenny ( repl S,goode), E.cohen ( repl M.barnes), T.burns, S.rogers, F.edwards ( repl J.shaw), M.cantwell.
Canterbury Pilgrims were easily beaten, 36-5, by Westcombe Park 2nds in their first pre-season friendly. All the Pilgrims could muster was an unconverted score from Callum Stuckey.
Canterbury complete their pre-season programme with a visit to Southend on Saturday (3pm). Both first and second team squads will be making the trip to Essex.
The city club start their National 2 South season on September 3 at Gloucestershire side Cinderford who were relegated from National 1 last season.