Delighted Pratt staying focused

Rugby

Andy Pratt is not getting carried away despite Canterbury’s stunning 1612 victory over previously unbeaten National 2 South leaders Chinnor. Saturday’s win at the Marine Travel Ground was a third straight for head of rugby Pratt’s side and they sit seventh, two points behind sixth-placed Redingensians whom they visit on Saturday. Pratt said: “I enjoyed Saturday. It was a great win against a good team who are favourites for the league. We showed great determination and were focused throughout. Our game plan was to disrupt them in certain areas and I was pleased we managed to do it. “The nature of the game and conditions meant it was a tough encounter and there were fewer tries than in previous weeks. “What was pleasing was that we showed we have the mental side – we have always got the physical side in abundance. It was a big step forward.” He added: “Reading have not lost since the start of October and are on a longer winning run than we are which should sober us up this week. We need to put Chinnor to the back of our minds and focus on getting it right again.” Wing Harry Sayers (broken collarbone) will be out until the new year although back row Max Cantwell is back in training. Meanwhile, former Canterbury youngster Huw Jones was man-of-the match after scoring two tries on his full international debut for Scotland in their last-gasp 23-22 defeat against Australia on Saturday. The 22-year-old former Junior King’s School pupil was born in Edinburgh but moved to Kent aged seven and played youth rugby at Merton Lane. The centre currently plays for South African Super Rugby side Stormers in Cape Town. Saturday was his first appearance in Scotland since a King’s under-11s rugby tour in 2005 and he’ll return to face Argentina in their second autumn international at Murrayfield on Saturday.

See page 35 for more from Jones.

Picture: Chris Davey FM4577104 Buy this picture from kentonline.co.uk Canterbury on the charge against Chinnor during Saturday’s win. Report, page 61