RUGBY Magnificent seven sees City on track

LONDON IRISH CANTERBURY

Canterbury beat London Irish Wild Geese 45-13 to consolidate their spot in the National League 2 South playoff positions, writes David Haigh.

The result marked their seventh successive win and kept them in second place, four points ahead of Henley.

London Irish’s James Brookes kicked an early penalty goal before Ben Neville put Canterbury on the board with a try. However George Owen got over the line to restore the hosts’ lead following some strong work from a lineout.

Promotion-chasing City showcased their credentials in the final minute of the first half with a stunning team try for a four-point cushion.

Royce Cadman’s powerful run was kept alive by some superb handling

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from JJ Murray, Sam Sterling and Neville, inviting Dan Smart to finish off the move leaving Harvey Young to convert.

Tries from Smart and Ricky Mackintosh inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half gave Andy Pratt’s side full control of the contest and a valuable bonus point.

Yellow cards for the visitors’ Young and Cadman then paved the way for Wild Geese to score again with a catch and dive try for Brandon Baker.

Their subsequent optimism was short-lived, however, as skipper Sean Stapleton spearheaded a determined response from the 13 men, capped by a Tristan King try.

Tries from Sterling and Braithwaite in the latter stages were glossed by successful conversions and Canterbury now have an extra week to re-charge before they host third-placed Henley on March 23. Canterbury: A.moss. R.mackintosh (rep C.grimes), B.neville, S.sterling, J.murray, H.young, D.smart (rep K.braithwaite), A.cooper, (rep E.lusher), T.king, S.kenny (rep A.wake-smith), R.cadman, M.corker, S.rogers, (rep T.oliver,), S.stapleton, J.stephens. n Pilgrims’ Invicta 1 clash against Tonbridge Juddians 2nds will be played under lights at the Marine Travel Ground tonight (Thursday, 7.30pm) after being switched from last Saturday at the request of TJS.

Canterbury 3rds beat Snowdown 39-34 and the 5ths defeated Dover 3rds 25-24.