Head coach Matt Corker thinks the rivalry between Canterbury Rugby Club and leaders Tonbridge Juddians has helped bring the best out of each other.

The city club return to action at Merton Lane for the first time since January 18 when they host National League 2 East pacesetters TJs on Saturday.

While there has always been a strong rivalry between the sides, both are flying high this season, adding extra spice to their latest meeting.

Canterbury are fourth in the table, only seven points behind second-placed Barnes, with Juddians having lost once so far in 17 league matches.

“There’s always been a great rivalry between the clubs,” said Corker.

“Competition like that between two teams makes each other better and I’d say we have both benefited from that.

“Saturday will be a challenge but, also, that’s exciting for us. We love a challenge.

“We love playing in front of our own fans, as well. It always brings that extra level of excitement.

“This was always going to be a big game when the fixtures came out at the start of this season but, because of where we are, it’s also a real chance to show what we’re capable of.

“We’ll just focus on getting our performance levels right and seeing where that takes us.”

Canterbury had been on a six-match winning streak until last weekend’s 22-18 loss at in-form Westcombe Park, while Tonbridge have claimed six victories on the bounce.

When Canterbury faced Tonbridge at The Slade in October, the hosts ran out 40-24 winners.

Corker said: “I think games like our one on Saturday are so exciting because we’re doing so well.

“Sitting fourth, we know these games can have a big impact at the top of the table. We know, on our day, we can beat anyone.

"But Tonbridge Juddians are a very good team and on a good run so we know we’ll need to be at our best.

“We just want to get back to playing our best brand of rugby.”

At Westcombe Park, Canterbury enjoyed the bulk of the territory but could not find enough ways to outwit a solid defence consistently, despite tries from Sam Rogers and Jamie Stephens. Fly-half Frank Reynolds also landed two penalties and a conversion.

Corker reflected: “The result wasn’t what we wanted and we were disappointed about that.

“But we did everything we needed to, except finish, which was the most disappointing part of it. To be fair, in general, our finishing has been good this season.

“We were on the right side of the referee, as well, but just couldn’t make that count on the scoreboard.

“They (Westcombe) are on a very good run. They’re a very good team.

"But we definitely came away thinking we should have done a bit better.”

Little changes for Corker, his coaching staff and players this week, though, with Canterbury having always been big on analysing their games.

Corker explained: “The best coaches, in my opinion, talk about having a process.

“It’s important to review every game and we’re quite clinical with that because we’re trying to get better every single week.

“There’s times where we have won but the performance hasn’t quite been there, and, sometimes, we have lost but been fairly happy with our performance levels.

“Having that definite belief on what we want to do allows myself, and our other coaches, to ensure the lads are constantly pushing forwards.”