Canterbury response is ideal tonic says Pratt
CANTERBURY’S bonus-point victory over Taunton lifted them back into the play-off places.
Tries from Jonathan Murray, Aiden Moss and Samuel Rogers in the first half gave them a comfortable 19-0 lead at half-time.
Titans returned after the restart, plugging away until the death, but Canterbury secured the win in an enthralling battle for second place after falling to third last week.
Head of rugby Andy Pratt was delighted with the win, but feels vulnerable in the table.
He said: “There was a great reaction from the lads following last week. We were outstanding in the first half and probably should have had two more tries.
“Playing a team like Taunton, they want to hurt you, and they very nearly did. I haven’t quite recovered yet.
“The crucial second half try was the difference. I am delighted with the reaction, but, by the end, we were a little spent.
“I am already thinking about Worthing next week as this is a bit of a derby.
“We need to get our guys fit again and get our training right this week.”
Canterbury got their first points within two minutes. Impressive build-up play helped Ricky Mackintosh outmanoeuvre the defence, finished by Ollie Best touching down.
Daniel Smart capitalised on a blunder by the Titans, dashing through the middle to cross the line. Best made no mistake at the tee from close-range.
Best was put in the sinbin for being offside, which put Canterbury at a disadvantage, but that failed to stop Rogers bundling over the far side after another blunder by Taunton. Thomas Best made no mis-
take to add the extras. Taunton battled back at the end of the first half, coming within metres, but poor passing cost them.
On the restart, Chris Francis cantered to the line, charging beneath the posts attempting to patch the damage for Taunton, Gary Kingdom converting.
They continued to inflict damage as Mackintosh side-stepped the defence and embarked on a searing 40-metre charge, Daniel Smart touched down and Best converted.
A Taunton driving maul pushed Kingdom over, but he failed to land the angled conversion.
A yellow card for Samuel Kenny in the closing stages was a damaging blow to Canterbury, as Taunton plugged away.
Petch bounced off the outside of the maul and sprinted in, but Kingdom was wide for the extras.
Alex Spurdle grabbed Taunton’s bonus-point try, Kingdom reducing the deficit to a mere two points.
A crucial penalty minutes before the final whistle could have secured Taunton the win, but the pressure was too much for Kingdom who went wide.
Taunton’s head of rugby Tony Yapp said: “Canterbury were dangerous when they moved with the ball and were very patient.”