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Canterbury's dreams of winning the Kent Cup were shattered by a side that showed
that extra touch of class in the last quarter of Sunday's tough and rain-drenched
semi-final. It is Park, not the city club, who will contest the final against
the holders Blackheath at Cardy Field on March 28th. The turning point came
nine minutes into the second half when the visitors took the lead for the first
time and, from there, developed a momentum that carried them to victory. Canterbury's
early confidence was gradually sapped by the Park forwards and the skilful prompting
of fly-half Wessell Wolmerans, the outstanding player on view.
It was a bitter disappointment for a Canterbury side which started so well
against National League opponents and produced some quality rugby. After Chris
Harrison has gone desperately close early on, intelligent kicking for territory
led to a try by Andy Pratt after 13 minutes. Nicky Woodbridge's long pass found
Pratt on the left and he powered between two defenders to make the touchdown.
Sean Pilcher, in excellent form with the boot, converted from wide-out and the
city club had struck an important first blow. The vision of the outstanding
Wolmerans was, however, a constant threat as he probed the home defence with
clever kicks and darts. He outwitted them completely with a pinpoint cross kick
to the right which fellow South African Gert DeKock gathered to score.
It was pressure from the home pack, however, that brought the next points.
Park were penalised, argued their case unsuccessfully and were taken back another
10 metres allowing Pilcher a simple penalty goal. The cut and thrust continued
all the way to half time. Park drew level when prop Steve Croall plunged over
from short range but, in the last act of the half, Pilcher pushed his side ahead
again with a second penalty. Canterbury, despite losing flanker Leon White for
a 10-minute sin binning, must have been making tentative cup final plans when
their accurate kicker landed a 40-metre penalty six minutes after the break
to make 16-10.
It was not to be. The visitors turned up the gas and two errors proved fatal.
Canterbury faltered at a scrum in on their own 22 metre line, Park got the put-in
at the re-set and De Kock steamed into the line from full back for his second
try. Ten minutes later a charged down kick gave Park a prime position and Croal,
for a second time, was the executioner. Mark Garfoot converted both scores to
open up important daylight between the sides. Canterbury, now on the back foot,
were out-muscled at the line-outs and reduced to holding on. It was a brave
performance but a last minute score by Park Number Eight Ian Hardcastle put a gloss
on the score line that did scant justice to the city fighting effort.
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