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Sunday
25 November 2007
Canterbury 12 – Hertford 22
It was with a sense of the unknown that Canterbury travelled to Hertford; the sides never having met before, but what followed proved to be one the most competitive matches of the season so far. The Canterbury squad, still carrying injuries, were nonetheless able to field a strong team, including debutant winger Sophie Penny in her first game for the club.
The conditions provided the opportunity for both teams to be able to demonstrate their potential. The game started at a furious pace, with strong forward play from Hertford dominating the first five minutes. However, Canterbury were soon able to get the measure of this, and matched their opponents with some excellent rucking and driving of the ball. It was Hertford however who were to have the greater momentum in the first period, using the swirling wind and setting sun to their advantage. Disciplined defence from Canterbury kept the opposition out until a break from their centre meant Hertford could open the scoring. Again Canterbury held out and strengthened their defence, but a quick penalty a few minutes later created an overlap for Hertford, allowing their second row to score from 5 metres out. This was converted by their full back.
At this point Canterbury heads could have dropped, but in fact the opposite happened. From the kick off Canterbury were determined to drive the ball forward, and some excellent defence was quickly turned into attack, Canterbury played the last 15 minutes of the half camped on the opposition line. Eventually a scrum five metres from the line enabled No. 8 Bridges to break from the back and a strong driving maul allowed flanker Kirke to score between the posts. This was converted by full back Day.
In the second half therefore there was all to play for, and again Canterbury started as the brighter of the two teams. As a result of aggressive rucking from the forwards, and quick moves from the backs, centre Allen was able to break through and score Canterbury’s second, bringing the score to 12 all. Unfortunately however, the Canterbury side, with no substitutes available, were beginning to tire. The last ten minutes saw Hertford able to score two tries to settle the score, and Canterbury were beaten but certainly not deflated. This was one of the best team performances of the season, and with injured players to return to the squad soon there is lots to suggest the return fixture will end in Canterbury’s favour.
Sunday
11 November 2007
Canterbury 90 – Old Beccehamians 0
Canterbury have recently been playing strong and well organised rugby, but that was nothing compared with this weekend’s fixture against Old Beccehamians. Both sides had their injury troubles, and Beccehamians could only field 12 players. Canterbury matched numbers, which meant a lot of players out of position and a system of rolling substitutions. However, it was clear from the start that Canterbury meant business, and were keen to confirm their position as contenders for top spot in the league.
Old Becs kicked off, straight into the hands of prop Doughty who released the ball quickly to the backs. Strong running and the pace of winger Curtis allowed her first score within two minutes of the starting whistle. This set the tone of the match, and within minutes Canterbury had scored again through centre Michelle Clithero. The extra space allowed by fewer players, and Canterbury’s superior strength and running lines, enabled some class play from forwards and backs alike. Excellent forward play built a strong platform for the backs to show their skills, and by half time Canterbury were in the lead by 50 points in a half that had also seen tries from winger Butcher, scrum half Kirke, fly half Sprowles and out of position prop Bridges. Curtis also added two more.
The second half provided the opportunity for experimentation, with several switches in playing positions, most notably Bridges, usually a back row player, switching to the centre. In this half Canterbury sought to amass as many points as possible, with tries reigning in against a deflated and tired Old Becs side. Curtis got a further 2 bringing her individual total to 6, Bridges scored another 3, Clithero got a second, and winger Brennan scored in only her second game. Fly half Sprowls added 5 conversions. Special credit should also be given to Allen, playing in the centres instead of her usual role as flanker, who despite not scoring herself ran some excellent lines and created scoring opportunities for many others.
It was clear from this display that Canterbury mean business this season, and are challenging for honours at the top of the table.
Sunday
4 November 2007
Canterbury 30 – New Ash Green 0
Canterbury went into this game with their resolve strengthened, having suffered their first defeat of the season in the previous fixture. The team therefore travelled to New Ash Green in high spirits, knowing that their recent record against them was good. It was clear even before the match kicked off that the team were ready to prove that last week was a one-off.
Canterbury kicked off, and from the off put pressure on the opposition, forcing them to make mistakes and driving them backwards. Canterbury had all the momentum and were in the opposition half for most of the first quarter. Strong rucking and hard tackles from the forwards, combined with excellent running lines from the backs enabled Canterbury to dominate, and eventually quick play from the backs meant they could utilise the pace of winger Curtis to open the scoring after 10 minutes. This was repeated 5 minutes later, with Curtis getting hers, and Canterbury’s second try. This pressure was maintained throughout the first half, although Canterbury were unable to score again. The opposition however, were clearly deflated, and were beginning to lose their composure.
The second half started brightly for Canterbury, with centre Gleeson making an excellent break almost from the off, and breaching New Ash Green’s defence. The following scrum enabled No. 8 Bridges to pick from the back of the scrum, and slip the ball to scrum half Clithero who scored in the corner. From this point on the floodgates had opened, as Canterbury gained their confidence, and the New Ash Green heads dropped. Another strong break from Gleeson led to another try; a well-earned and fitting way of commemorating her final game for the club before moving back to New Zealand with her family.
The final quarter of the game saw a period of continued pressure from Canterbury, with Curtis scoring her hat trick, and an excellent burst from fly half Sprowls, who straightened the running lines and broke through the middle to score under the posts. This match well and truly proved that Canterbury are back on track, and looking to confirm their position as contenders at the top of the league table.
Sunday
28 October 2007
Canterbury 0 – Romford & Gidea Park 15
Canterbury prepared for this match with expectations high, having been undefeated so far this season. With some key absences in the side, including injured captain Claire Bernthal, Canterbury knew this was going to be an important game for them to win on their home ground. However, the opposition was an unknown quantity; the two teams never having played each other before, and they were also defending an unbeaten record this season.
On a wet and windy afternoon it was clear that neither side would be able to rely on help from the conditions. The game began at a frenzied pace, with Romford managing to keep the ball in the forwards and gain the ascendancy. Unfortunately two quick tries for the opposition was to determine the result, if not the nature of the game that followed. From turned over possession and the pace of the centres Romford were able to score two tries breaking through the Canterbury defence. It would have been easy for heads to drop, however Canterbury strengthened their resolve, and the rest of the game was much more of an even contest. Unfortunately Romford were able to score a third try just before half time, with a break from the number eight to charge across the line.
The second half however was a different tale. Canterbury had the majority of the possession and the territory. Some excellent back play, in particular from scrum half Michelle Clithero, meant the game was definitely swinging in Canterbury’s favour. However, a lack of experience in the backs, and several players out of position meant they were unable to penetrate the opposition’s defence. Strong attacking play by the forwards kept the momentum going throughout the second half but unfortunately it was not meant to be on this occasion.
Sunday
14 October 2007
Canterbury 12 – Ashford 5
Last Sunday saw the ever keenly contested local derby between Canterbury and Ashford. Canterbury prepared for the game in positive mood, having won the previous two games against some tough opposition. However, they were aware of the fact that in Ashford they were coming up against some of their closest rivals in the league.
The team was clearly in positive spirits as they arrived at the ground, and were looking to try to continue their winning run. The game started as an even battle, with a lot of the play being dominated by the forwards. Tough rucking gave the Ashford team the advantage at first, with some excellent tackling from the Canterbury backs keeping them in the game. However, Canterbury soon began to pull together as a team, and held out the pressure to keep the score at 0-0 by half time.
The second half saw Canterbury again pull together, and some swift and strong running presented several opportunities. However, it was Ashford who were to score first; winning a scrum on the five metre line, their no. 8 broke from the back and drove over the line. The conversion was missed. This proved to be a pivotal moment, and motivated the Canterbury team to move forwards. Some excellent team play, linking strong running from the forwards with good running lines from the back saw the game swing in Canterbury’s favour. 15 minutes into the second half Canterbury’s pack were able to turn over the ball on the half way line, presenting an opportunity for wing Katie Curtis to break away and score under the posts. A fitting way to celebrate her birthday! Full back Laura Day was able to make the conversion.
The remainder of the match was a continual struggle, with both sides making strong advances. With 5 minutes to go however Canterbury centre Jo Gleeson was able to break a tackle, and forced her way up the pitch, only to be stopped metres from the line. Flanker Lucy Kirke was there in support to secure the ball and dive over for Canterbury’s second try. It is clear to see from the early stages of the season that Canterbury’s record of three wins from three played is no accident, and there is lots of optimism about the remainder of the season.
Sunday
7 October 2007
Canterbury 28 – Beccehamians 5
This week saw the second match of the season for the Canterbury team, and a fixture against Beccehamians that is always keenly contested. The team featured many new faces. The match kicked off in high spirits, with both teams clearly up for the challenge, but it was Beccehamians who were to come off better in the first ten minutes. Strong rucking mixed with straight lines of running from their backs led to an early score for the opposition. However, instead of this causing Canterbury to drop their heads the opposite occurred, and they strengthened their resolve. The fight back was on.
The Canterbury forwards began rucking with greater force, creating a strong platform for the backs to run off. This led to spaces opening up in mid-field, and created the opportunity to centre Jo Gleeson to make a break, scoring under the posts. This was converted by full back Laura Day. This was followed by a searing break down the wing by Katie Curtis just before half time, and another conversion from Day.
In the second half it was clear Canterbury were in the ascendancy, as the forwards worked hard to protect the ball, and the backs were able to show their pace and skill. This period saw a second try for Curtis, as well as a weaving run from wing Aimee Miller to score her first try for the club. Both were converted by Day. This was a strong and determined performance which promises much for the oncoming season. .
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