Cards undermine bid for victory

Rugby

Canterbury Pilgrims went down 29-19 away to Barnes 2nds, losing their way after an excellent first half in their Zoo Sports Shield Division 1 encounter on Saturday.

Playing against a strong wind the Pilgrims found themselves spending the majority of the first half defending against a well drilled home team, but an impressive display of defensive resistance kept Barnes at bay. It restricted them to a lead of 3-0, but with half-time approaching Canterbury broke out and scored a great team try, finished by Tom Williams and converted by Will Hilton.

The mounted early second half pressure on the home side which eventually led to them increasing the lead through an unconverted try.

It should have been the start of a runaway victory but it started to all go wrong after a minor disturbance over a high tackle on Williams.

Pilgrims they lost their rhythm and concentration which led to two yellow cards in the space of five minutes for Frankie Morgan and Elliot Lusher. During the 20 minutes which left the Pilgrims with 13 players the home side ran in three converted tries to lead 24-12,

When the city side were back to full strength they hit back with a try from Jarvis Otto, converted by Hilton and it looked as if they could catch the home side. But time was not on their side and with the last play of the game Barnes scored a clinching try. Pilgrims are at home to Richmond Saxons on Saturday.

■ Canterbury’s first XV, without a game at the weekend, resume their National League 1 campaign with a daunting trip to face leaders Richmond on Saturday. When the clubs met at the Marine Travel Ground in November Richmond ran out 50-0 victors. Canterbury moved off the foot of the table following their last match, a 7-0 home defeat to Chinnor.

Other weekend results: Canterbury 3rd 17 Medways 3rd 33; Canterbury 4th 29; Gillingham Anchorians 2nd 42; Folkestone 3rd 5 Canterbury 5th 45.