Crucial victory a fitting tribute to late chairman

Rugby

Martyn Beaumont said Canterbury’s 52-39 win over Dorking was a fitting tribute to late club chairman Jonathan Marsh.

The city club built an eight-point cushion over the third-bottom Surrey side with victory in a 12-try bonanza, which was preceded by emotional tributes to Mr Marsh, who passed away earlier in the month.

Beaumont said: “It was a hell of a game. Both teams needed a bonus point first-off, then the win, so both of us went for it. It was a fitting tribute to Jon, there was a big crowd there for him and we were delighted we could pick up the win.

“We started the game with a bang. The changing room was emotional before the game and everyone was pumped.

“We went at them from the first whistle and scored the first try within a couple of minutes.” Victory took Canterbury eight points clear of third-bottom Dorking and within five points of ninth-placed Bury St Edmunds ahead of the visit of fifth-placed Taunton Titans on Saturday week.

Beaumont said: “We are still looking behind us. We still have five cup finals to play and we are not safe yet.

“Southend have got Dorking on Saturday so we could do with them doing us a favour.

“We have got some tough games coming up, not least Taunton but we’re positive, we can win all five of those games and there’s no reason why we couldn’t make the top half.

“The ground has firmed right up lately which suits us, we can chuck it around and bring our backs into it.

“We have got a potent backline with a lot of gas in the tank and we did our research on Dorking and they struggle out wide so we spread the play and made it count.”