Hosts lose their way

A second-half meltdown, costing four tries, condemned the city club to a disappointing start to their National 2 South season. They played into the hands of an increasingly-confident Cinderford as they fell off tackles, kicked poorly and lost their way in the last half hour. In a competitive first half there was nothing to suggest Canterbury would fall apart so easily as they took an early lead and fought back strongly after losing Max Cantwell to a yellow card. They were first on the scoreboard when George Micans and Dan Smart set up a try for Ollie Best from the back of a scrum and Best converted. Cinderford, a side who have recruited heavily and are fancying a return to Division 1, used their pack power to force a penalty try to level but it wasn’t until Cantwell was sin binned late in the half that they managed to cross the line. Jake Moffatt kicked a penalty to give them the lead and converted a try by No.8 Harry Hone as the visitors took advantage of their extra man. But the city side had lost nothing in comparison at this stage and in the final minute of the half used a penalty to set up a catch-and-drive try for prop Aaron Cooper’ They came under immediate Results: National League 2 South: Bury St Edmunds 17 Tonbridge Juddian 50, Canterbury 17 Cinderford 39, Clifton 24 Chinnor 24, Henley 28 Redingensians 24, Redruth 58 Old Redcliffians 10, Taunton Titans 41 Broadstreet 21. Wimbledon 13 Barnstaple 33, Worthing 27 London Irish Wild Geese 22. Fixtures: National League 2 South: Barnstaple v Redruth, Broadstreet v Bury St Edmunds, Chinnor pressure after the break but thought they had stolen a try when Smart kicked and chased the length of the field to touch down, only to be recalled for a knock-on. Cinderford struck immediately, creating an overlap for wing Reuben Norville and Moffatt converting. But Smart got his consolation as the city side attacked the left corner and the scrum half dived over. That left the game finely poised at 17-24 but at that point the city side fell away and the strong and direct running visitors took charge. One of several indifferent clearance kicks landed in Norville’s arms on half way and he weaved too easily past four men for an outstanding score to point the way to victory. There was some heroic work from Canterbury flanker Sam Rogers but Cinderford’s domination grew and further tries from Hone and replacement Joe Smart guaranteed they left with a full quota of league points. Canterbury: A.moss (repl W.farris), G.hilton, J J Murray, C.kingsman, H.sayers, O.best, D.smart (repl K.braithwaite), J.green (repl T.little), T.rogers (repl E.deacon), A.cooper, R.cadman (repl L.whetton), M.corker, M.cantwell, S.rogers G. Micans v Henley, Cinderford v Clifton, Old Redcliffians v Taunton Titans, Redingensians v London Irish Wild Geese, Tonbridge Juddian v Canterbury, Wimbledon v Worthing. Kent 1: Beccehamian v Gillingham Anchorians, Cranbrook v Old Gravesendians, HSBC v King’s College Hospital, New Ash Green v Southwark Lancers, Royal Bank of Scotland v Ashford, Sittingbourne v Vigo.