Welcome away win

Inconsistent Canterbury posted only their second away victory of the season, 33-19 at National League 2 South bottom side Westcliff on Saturday, writes David Haigh.

The five points they collected will prove a welcome boost ahead of this Saturday’s meeting with leaders Esher.

What the scoreline could not disguise, however, was the poor quality of a game in which both sides fed off unforced errors as much as their own skills. Canterbury’s dominant scrummaging was the backbone of an untidy performance and three second-half tries were enough to guarantee a result which should have been more convincing.

Playing into a chilly wind in the first half, a patient build-up brought a converted try for Dwayne Corcoran after 14 minutes but then the errors set in and Westcliff turned their gifts into points. A turnover handed them the opportunity to make space for wing Sherif Olanrewaju and a second try followed as Westcliff skipper Greg Bannister raced 50 metres to the line and added the goal points. Relentless scrum pressure allowed Canterbury to square matters before half-time. Westcliff came under the cosh, James Scogings was yellow carded after repeated penalty offences and Canterbury finally broke them down with an overlap score from wing Frank Morgan. After the break that same pack power pushed Canterbury clear with two tries in the space of seven minutes. Steady pounding of the Westcliff line ended with prop Danny Herriott coming up with ball from under a pile of bodies and the lead was recaptured.

The second saw Westcliff shunted back at a close range scrum and number eight Tyler Oliver made the touchdown. Both were converted and at 26-12 the game was in the city side’s hands.

Westcliff fought back and lock George Maloney powered over for a try converted by Bannister. It proved to be their last shot but as scruffy handling and poor control continued to plague both sides it was Canterbury who finished the stronger.

An attack down the left-wing channel which at last had some poise about it sealed the game, bringing Morgan his second try and leaving Kyan Braithwaite to slot a fourth conversion. Canterbury: D Corcoran (A Moss), G Hilton, S Sterling, K Braithwaite, F Morgan, B Cooper (D Heads), A Cooper (J Otto). B Young, D Herriott (E Lusher), J De Vries, J Stephens (S Churchyard), A Evans, W Waddington, T Oliver.

Canterbury Pilgrims ended their season in style, scoring eight tries as they beat Westcliff 2nds 54-31 in the Invicta A League.

Tom Halliday, with three of his side’s tries and seven conversions, was man-of-the-match. Canterbury were 28-12 ahead by half-time thanks to touchdowns by Tristan Van Dyk, Leo Chiapa and two from Halliday. Westcliff added to two first-half scores with a third try shortly after the break but Pilgrims, playing controlled rugby and with flair, pulled away. Matt Clow extended the lead before scrum-half Tom Wlliams produced two brilliant individual efforts from long range. Westcliff played a full part in the entertainment with another two tries but Halliday completed his hat-trick.