Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Canterbury tame Lions in nick of time
To say Canterbury left things late would be an understatement as they snatched a 30-27 victory over Leicester Lions in stoppage time.
A patient build up and outstanding ball retention were rewarded when Frank Reynolds scored under a pile of Lions defenders to give his side a maximum five National League 2 South points. It seemed they had missed their chance when, three minutes earlier, Reynolds failed to convert Aiden Moss’ second try which would have earned his side a draw. But all was forgiven when the fly-half put the finishing touches to the last play of the game. That late surge stunned a Leicester team who had a seven-point lead late on. After trailing at the break they scored three tries. That they failed to win was no criticism, because Canterbury found a rhythm that would have tested any side.
The quality of that spell was in stark contrast to a poor first half when both teams were guilty of basic errors. Lions took an early lead through a Ben Young dropped goal, but surrendered it to close-range tries from front row men Will Mccoll and Tristan King, with Reynolds adding a conversion.
A great chip and chase by Lions full-back Alex Wilcockson and Young’s conversion narrowed the gap to two points by half-time, but the visitors upped their game. Hooker Ollie Taylor’s converted try took them back into the lead before a yellow card for Young gave the city side an opportunity. Reynolds kicked a penalty goal and Moss cruised through acres of space to make a touchdown. Lions came back strongly as Taylor grabbed a second and when wing Jake Sterland latched on to Young’s crosskick with seven minutes remaining Canterbury were left chasing the game. They chased in such a positive fashion that they will travel to Barnes on Saturday confident in their own abilities.