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Head coach Matt Corker expects Canterbury Rugby Club’s weekend visitors to provide a stern test of their defensive resolve.
Weather permitting, they will - finally - return to National League 2 East action for the first time in nearly a month when they host Guernsey on Saturday.
While Canterbury sit fourth, fifth-placed Raiders are a mere three points behind them and have a league fixture in hand, despite two December defeats, before last weekend’s 40-14 home triumph over Havant.
“Guernsey are a really strong team this season,” said Corker.
“They had a slightly difficult period before Christmas where I think they might have had some injuries.
“Ball-in-hand, they’re one of the strongest in the league. It’s a good test to see how much our defence has improved. I feel it has - and the results are saying that.
“But we’re now coming up against a team that put us to the sword at their place so it’ll be an exciting challenge.”
The islanders will aim to do the double against Canterbury, having earned a 41-23 win at Footes Lane in September, despite winger Garry Jones’ hat-trick for the visitors.
Corker said: “Garry has scored a few tries this season - and he does tell us all about that!
"He’s been in fantastic form. With it being his second season at Canterbury, and having come here from the other side of the world, sometimes, there’s a bit of settling in to do.
“But Garry had a great finish to the summer with Kent and just keeps going from strength-to-strength.
“He’s a real team player and will be happy regardless of who’s getting the tries because he knows the result comes first.”
Canterbury have been in impressive form on home soil this term and will hope to carry that form on in 2025.
“We have only got one loss at home so far this season,” noted Corker. “That came from quite a disappointing day against Barnes [losing 22-13].
“We have got some good teams still to visit us, including the leaders, Tonbridge Juddians, Dorking and Henley. Guernsey is the start of that run.
“In terms of our focus, we know getting these points will make a big difference in the table.
“But it’s one week at a time and it’s just about beating everyone in front of us.”
Canterbury had hoped to play their first game of the year last weekend - even travelling to Worthing - only for their journey to prove a wasted one as the fixture fell victim to the weather.
“This time last year, we had a very similar situation against Wimbledon,” he said. “We did play [winning 52-36] - but it was firm to say the least!
“It’s, unfortunately, one of them. A lot of the games in our league were called off on Friday.
“But they wanted to play and we wanted to play and, sometimes, these things do happen.”
The club’s second team, the Pilgrims, were in action, though, as Kent 1’s leaders secured a 67-12 victory at home against Park House 1sts.
Corker said: “That was a fantastic result for the lads.
“They had to move down to the artificial pitch at Simon Langton. That’s a surface they are used to and a surface we train on.
“They racked up a lot of points so that was definitely a positive to come out of the weekend.”
Even without a match to play, Canterbury’s first-team squad have been dealt injury blows.
Corker revealed: “We actually lost a couple of lads in training last week.
"Alfie Orris looks like he will be out for a couple of weeks.
“He rolled his ankle quite badly so, even without a game, you have to deal with these problems. But that just gives an opportunity to someone else.
“Hopefully, Alfie will be back in contention soon.”
Canterbury’s away game against Worthing has now been rearranged for Saturday, February 1.