Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Sayers to the four until injury
A dazzling four-try display by Harry Sayers ended in the worst possible way for the returming England Students player. Diving for his final touchdown in a 68-13 win for the Pilgrims over Southend 2nds, he suffered a recurrence of the serious shoulder problem which kept him out for three months. It was a jarring note for a Pilgrims side which, after a slow start, took control and ran in 11 tries to go third in Zoo Shield Divison 2. Against a heavyweight Southend pack, the Pilgrims twice fell behind to penalty goals early on but when they started to move the ball wide, it paid dividends. Tries from Cameron Townley, Ross Comfort, Piers Richardson and Frank Morgan, plus two conversions and a penalty goal by Jamie Dowkes, gave them a 27-6 half-time lead, despite another injury blow, to lock Joe Craig. It was Sayers who shredded the Southend defence in the opening 16 minutes of the second half, his pace and finishing powers sealing the game before his unfortunate departure. A yellow card for John Foster gave Southend the chance to grab their only try, which was converted, before Pilgrims helped themselves to three more tries. They were scored by Foster, JJ Gallagher and prop Dan Mills. Further conversions from Dowkes (2) and Liam Browne completed the score. The 3rds made light work of Deal & Betteshanger 2nds in Premier East, winning 42-5. Despite holding the territorial advantage for much of the first quarter, the game was scoreless until full-back Jack Waite broke the deadlock on 20 minutes. The visitors then suffered a series of injuries and the 3rds took full advantage with tries from Brad Allchurch (2) and Alex Evans. Reduced to 14 men, Deal battled strongly in the second half to record an unconverted try as the city side lost their rhythm. They rediscovered it sufficiently to break through for another four touchdowns by Evans, Jake Upward, James Case and Ben Waite, with one being converted.