Defence up to the task

Canterbury ended up clinging on for their 33-30 National 2 East victory over Sevenoaks, writes David Haigh. With both sides on the fringes of the relegation battle there was plenty at stake and Sevenoaks’ domination of the final 20 minutes marked them out as likely winners. Instead they were restricted to a second bonus point, earned with a try in the last minute, thanks to Canterbury’s massive defensive effort and astute changes from the bench at a time when the city club were hit with two yellow cards and a sending-off.

Surviving the late siege was not the only challenge Canterbury had as the sharp and focused visitors made a flying start and were 12 points ahead after only eight minutes. Tries from Henry Galligan and Jonny Short, plus a Ben Adams conversion, were helped by suspect tackling. When Canterbury came alive, however, they were just as effective in finding holes and won a four-try bonus point by half-time. A midfield break by scrum-half Ben Cooper made the first incision before Lewis Hollidge’s opening try. Continuing pressure saw Oaks leaking penalties and when Frank Reynolds spotted space on the right his cross kick bounced into Cameron Murray’s path.

Oaks pulled back three points with an Adams penalty goal but they could not stop a driving maul which ended in Eoin O’donoghue touching down.

Jamie Stephens rounded off closequarter work from a clever pass to register the fourth and with three conversions from Reynolds, who passed the 100-point mark for the season, the earlier damage was repaired.

When Cooper ran in the opening try of the second half, after good attacking work in midfield, and Reynolds topped it up the city side looked firmly in the driving seat. But the lively visitors soon reminded them that if you don’t fasten the safety belt you are unwise and they took control of possession and territory.

Adams kicked his second penalty goal then converted Short’s second try on 60 minutes and Canterbury now had a fight on their hands. Losing Danny Herriott and Stephens to the sin-bin and Tom Best to a red card put their discipline under scrutiny, but their defiance and commitment left Sevenoaks no more time after Galligan’s last-ditch score.

Canterbury visit Rochford Hundred on Saturday.

Pictures: Phillipa Hilton Above, Canterbury’s David Irvine on the charge and, right, Guy Hilton in attack mode. Left, Sam Sterling takes a tumble as Sevenoaks challenge for the ball