Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Corker’s challenge
Matt Corker is challenging Canterbury to build on their first victory of the season.
The city club got off the mark in National 2 South at the third attempt, celebrating the return of league rugby to the Marine Travel Ground as they beat Worthing 29-24 last weekend.
Coach Corker said it was a fantastic day for the club, who visit basement boys Rochford Hundred this Saturday.
“We have got real ambitions this year to be competing towards the top of the league,” he said. “But if that’s the sort of team we want to be, it is crucial we put together a string of results.
“Our preparation was disrupted but that’s behind us now, and we are looking at building on our performances week-on-week.”
Hundred are still yet to get off the mark in the league but Corker certainly will not be underestimating them.
He explained: “This is my first time playing Rochford. I think some of the other lads might have played them before but I haven’t.
“Having looked at video footage of them, they definitely know what they are doing. It will be another challenge for us, especially away from home.
“We need to get results on the road, as well, if we are to be a strong team in the league this season.
“It is a very competitive league. Even the teams that got promoted, they have had a lot of time to prepare for this season.
“As a relegated team, people are not going to be surprised that we are a strong team.”
Corker says some players are nursing knocks but hopes those players will be fit enough to take on the Essex outfit.
He wants his side to start climbing the table after their victory over Worthing - their fixture home league fixture in 18 months - but still saw areas of their game they can work on.
Corker said: “I think it is important for us to be hard to beat. We conceded two tries last weekend, which is an area we need to try and work on.
“We will be spending some time on that.”
Reflecting on the win, he added: “I think first and foremost, it was such a great day for the club. There must have been 600 people there and the boys put in such a fantastic performance.
“I know it is early in the season but, to get the first win, it makes a real difference in terms of our place in the league table.
“To lose three in a row would have put us in a bad position, but we can now start looking up the table.”