By David Haigh

Canterbury’s six-match winning streak in National League 2 East came to a sticky and disappointing end with a 22-18 defeat in the Westcombe Park mud on Saturday.

It was a game where Matt Corker’s side enjoyed the bulk of the territory, but could not find enough ways to outwit a solid home defence.

With Park also chasing a seventh win in a row this clash of two in-form sides was always going to be a tight affair, but it was Combe's ability to absorb pressure and make the most of their chances that gave them the edge.

They were helped by a poor start from Canterbury, who conceded eight points in the first five minutes through a long-range penalty goal from Nathan Wyman and Cal Devine's try, made by Combe skipper Nick Cook who burst through some poor tackling before giving the flanker a clear run.

Those early setbacks jolted the city side into life and, aided by Combe indiscipline, they dominated much of the rest of the half.

With a heavy penalty count in their favour they won plenty of field position but the match was into its second quarter before any points came via a catch-and-drive try by Sam Rogers. The visitors missed out on a second try, the last pass going forward, but a Frank Reynolds penalty goal brought Canterbury level.

Combe's effective work at the breakdown in slowing down possession then kept the city side at bay and two minutes before the break Park scored a second try.

A penalty won the home side position and when the ball was worked into midfield more suspect defending allowed Cook to rumble over. Wyman converted to open up a 15-8 lead.

Combe built on their advantage in the 55th minute with a try from centre Matt Harrison after a forward charge opened a gap. Wyman landed his second conversion and as the conditions condemned the game to a foot slog that 14-point lead proved crucial.

Canterbury fought back to dictate territory and probed, often promisingly, through the back division but never quite made a breakthrough. A yellow card for Ben Charnock left the home side short handed and the city side did make that count, building the phases for a Jamie Stephens try which Reynolds converted.

The score came in the 63rd minute but despite continuing pressure the home defence stood firm and a late penalty goal from Reynolds, together with a losing bonus point, was the most Canterbury could salvage.

On Saturday Canterbury, in fourth, host league leaders Tonbridge Juddians.

Canterbury: Heatherley, Jones, Morgan, Waddington, Williams, Reynolds, Farrance, Huntley, O’Donoghue, Herriott, Irvine, Stephens, McGovern, Rogers, Oliver. Replacements: Macmillan, Moss, Frostick, De Vries, Young.