Home   Canterbury   Sport   Article

Havant 5 Canterbury 61: National League 2 East match report

By David Haigh

Canterbury closed the gap on third-placed Dorking in the National 2 East league table to just two points after thrashing Havant 61-5.

The visitors scored nine tries as they extended their winning run to five games with their biggest victory of the season so far - although Dorking have a game in hand - but equally impressive was the combination of efficiency and panache.

Canterbury's Danny Herriott in the thick of the action at the weekend. Picture: Phillipa Hilton
Canterbury's Danny Herriott in the thick of the action at the weekend. Picture: Phillipa Hilton

The city side arrived with a reshuffled squad plagued by injury and illness, but their flexibility and depth of talent banished any doubts as they produced a stunning display of attacking rugby. They were 30 points in front by half-time, with a try bonus secured, and after a cautious start proved deadly with the ball in hand.

An early Frank Reynolds penalty goal was the only score until the 19th minute when the fly-half's pinpoint cross kick was plucked out of the air by Kurt Heatherley for the opening try.

The work in the loose of an aggressive pack now began to pay dividends, with back-row trio Chad Thomas, Sam Rogers and Tyler Oliver in prime form. Havant, vulnerable in defence and eclipsed at the lineouts, had no answers as Canterbury used their domination of possession to maximum effect.

Adventurous handling created a wonderful second try which started

behind their own line, went the length of the field and Garry Jones finished off. A catch-and-drive from the pack was next, with Eoin O’Donoghue touching down, and the bonus-point score went to Rogers after more swift offloading.

Tom Best scored on his return to action for Canterbury at Havant. Picture: Phillipa Hilton
Tom Best scored on his return to action for Canterbury at Havant. Picture: Phillipa Hilton

A second penalty goal and conversion from Reynolds completed the first-half set and it took just two minutes of the new half for Havant to crack again, Jones’ powerful hand-off making space for Oliver's try.

Havant rallied over the next 20 minutes as Canterbury's ball retention went missing, but they found the city defence a real stumbling block. The hosts came away with just a catch-and-drive try from Cam Boa, but in the final quarter Canterbury overpowered them with four more tries, three of them converted.

As the frequent line breaks came there was was one for Tom Best, back on first-team duty, quickly followed by Tom Williams and Harvey Furneaux before serial poacher O’Donoghue scored from a tap penalty in the final minute.

Canterbury are due to visit bottom-of-the-table Worthing for a rearranged fixture on Saturday.

Canterbury: Heatherley, Jones, Waddington, Best, Williams, Reynolds, Farrance, Huntley, Donoghue, Herriott, Stephens, Thomas, Rogers, Oliver. Replacements: Cooper, Furneaux, Campbell, Frostick, Irvine.

Leaders Tonbridge Juddians’ game at Guernsey was postponed due to unplayable pitch. They visit Sevenoaks for a rearranged derby this Saturday.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More