Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Winning formula found after stuttering start
Canterbury’s staying power sealed a hard-won 21-12 National 2 South victory over Barnes, writes David Haigh. Trailing by 12 points at the break after failing to solve the puzzles set by the visiting defence, Canterbury’s determination was rewarded with three tries.
They fell behind early on after being pinned on their own line and centre Peter Weightman powered over to leave Rob Kirby a simple conversion. The city side had plenty of territory and opportunity to put that right, but lacked the accuracy and patience to turn it into points and a second Barnes score brought more hurt.
Despite a fine, try-saving cover tackle by Dwayne Corcoran, the visiting pack completed the job by driving James Bloxham over the line from close range. There was no more damage, but it left Canterbury with plenty of attacking problems to solve. Twelve minutes into the second half they began to find solutions.
A turnover was won, the ball spread wide and wingman Corcoran left the Barnes defence flat-footed as he cut inside to touch down by the posts. Kyan Braithwaite converted, but the game was into the last 10 minutes before Canterbury nosed in front. The visitors were under increasing pressure and it told when new boy Dave Irvine, making his home debut, charged down scrum-half Miles Lloyd’s kick, gathered and scored. Braithwaite nailed the conversion for a vital two points.
That looked precarious as Barnes fought back in the closing minutes, but a great turnover and raking kick earned Canterbury a five-metre scrum. It was a department they dominated throughout the game and this time their eight-man drive won a decisive penalty try. Canterbury travel to Henley on Saturday.
Canterbury: Moss, Halliday (Morgan), Sterling, Braithwaite, Corcoran, Best (Reynolds), B Cooper, A Cooper, (Lusher), B Young, Herriott, Cadman, Churchyard (Irvine), De Vries, Waddington, Oliver.
■ A hat-trick of tries from winger Guy Hiton helped Canterbury Pilgrims 2nds to a 26-17 victory at Medway 2nds. A fourth touchdown from Tristan Van Dyk and three conversions gave the city side the edge in the Invicta A League clash. Canterbury 5ths Zingari got the better of old rivals Maidstone Vets 27-12 in a friendly at Merton Lane. Jacob Coffin, making his debut for the club, broke from a maul to force his way over late in the first period for his first try. Maidstone hit back but, at this point, the city side were in the ascendancy.
They managed to cross the line twice more, and they were unlucky not to get another try with the referee being unsighted, denying Dai Bolt his moment in his last game for Canterbury.
The second half saw Maidstone back in the hunt, scoring out wide, but deep into the second period, Zingari made the final breakout with another converted try to put the result beyond doubt.