Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Pratt’s frustration
Andy Pratt wants Canterbury to channel the frustration of their fruitless National 2 South trip to Bishop’s Stortford into a return to winning ways against Worthing.
Canterbury travelled 80 miles to Hertfordshire on Saturday morning only to find the Stortford pitch remained frozen, despite having been told by the hosts that morning that the game could go ahead.
Head of rugby Pratt said: “We are confused as to why we were asked to travel when they called off their 3rd XV fixture and minis rugby on the Saturday morning.
“Cambridge 2nds, who were due to play on the adjacent pitch to us, voiced the same concerns – their game did not go ahead, either.”
He added: “The referee team made it clear to us that they could not make a call on it until kick-off which is correct. Up to that point, it’s up to the two teams.
“We gave it a go and warmed up but it was clearly not fit to play on and not safe – that has to be the No.1 priority.”
To compound matters, the city club suffered a puncture on their way north and had to wait for a replacement bus to complete their trip, foregoing their scheduled break on the way.
The game has been rearranged for February 25 which was Canterbury’s only free weekend until March 18.
Pratt claims the best way for Canterbury to put their frustration behind them is to channel it into a positive result against bogey side Worthing at the Marine Travel Ground on Saturday (3pm).
Worthing have won home and away against Canterbury in the past two seasons following their relegation from National 1 and the Raiders enjoyed a 30-12 success in West Sussex in this season’s first game in October – one of their five wins in 18 games this season.
Pratt said: “We are keen to get back to winning ways. The weather has disrupted us but hopefully we’ll have a good week of training and be raring to go.
“We don’t have a good record against Worthing. I know they are down there in the table, second bottom but they have had a lot of success against Canterbury in recent years and we’re very keen to put that straight.”