Of magnificent seven

Andy Pratt says maintaining focus is the key for Canterbury as they seek to make it seven straight wins when they host Bury St Edmunds on Saturday.

Canterbury did not hit the heights last weekend they previously have in National 2 South this season, although they still swept aside struggling Barnes 38-8 for a third straight away win which kept them sixth, eight points outside the top-four and 16 adrift of leaders Chinnor.

Bury St Edmunds are 10th and one of four sides chasing the city club, whose six straight wins have moved them from the lower into the upper reaches of the table.

Despite their upturn in fortunes, head of rugby Pratt insists he has not set a target for points or finishing position, adding: “Our main target is and has always been to improve on last year (when Canterbury finished 10th having flirted with relegation). Hopefully, we are on course to do that.”

Pratt claimed there are fine margins in the division and added: “Comparing the first quarter of our season (when Canterbury lost six of eight games) and the second (when they have won all six), there is not too much different.

“We’ve got the winning habit now which is great. Maybe we’ve had a bit of luck and we’re five or 10% more accurate which proves the difference.”

Pratt also claimed Canterbury would be on the end of a ‘role reversal’ from now on, claiming: “Earlier in the season teams might not have prepared as thoroughly for us as they would have for one of the top teams. Now we’re in good form, teams might sit up and take notice.”

Pratt claims the city club will need to be focused when the Suffolk side visit the Marine Travel Ground, Merton Lane, admitting: “We have shown some poor sides to our play in the last couple of games.

“I don’t think complacency is the word but maybe you have a harder edge when you have got your backs against the wall.

“Bury St Edmunds will be the

‘We are not thinking about any other games’

biggest test we have faced recently.

“They are a capable team and exactly the sort of dangerous opponent that can end a winning run if we don’t get it right.”

The game represents the midway point of the season, with only the match at third-placed Old Elthamians to follow before the festive break but Pratt insisted: “We are not thinking about any other games or anything else.

“Everything is about Bury St Edmunds, they deserve our respect. It is all about us and being right for 3pm on Saturday.”

Pratt is hoping to have a clean bill of health, although he added: “We have a few minor niggles.”