Another Kent derby for TJs at The Slade in Round 7 of their N2E campaign. Six maximum points wins from six to date and the magnificent seven was hoped for.
The ground was heavy in places but the sun was out and a light breeze was in Canterbury’s favour for the first half. TJs struggled to get into their stride early on and both sides found it hard to cling on to the ball for long enough to challenge either goal line. But it was Canterbury who scored first after a nice move off the back of a lineout enabled four of their tallest and most agile of players to combine in quick succession to cross for an unconverted try after 9 minutes.
It wasn’t until the second quarter that TJs made their first serious foray into Canterbury’s half and after some strong running from backs and forwards the defence finally cracked as Harrison Sims crashed through and over and Sam Evans converted.
Both teams then had their chances to add to the scoreline but it was Canterbury who edged in front with a converted try and they went into the break 7-12 in front. TJs would need a bit of a chat to ensure that a fast start to the second half and upping the pace should bring rewards
And so it proved as within 5 minutes of the restart TJs put Canterbury under pressure in their own half and after they were penalised in their own 22m area Connor Lloyd tapped and darted and Tom White converted to put TJs 14-12 in front.
Three minutes later and after a similar series of drives to the Canterbury line Duncan Tout arrived off the right wing to force his way through and over and again White converted and TJs were 21-12 up.
Canterbury were struggling to keep TJs at bay for long periods and much of the play was in their half but TJs were growing in confidence and when Tommy Nicoll crashed over to claim the try bonus point and White converted to make it 28-12 things looked bleak for Canterbury.
From the restart though they gained a foothold in the TJ half and in a blink of an eye they were over to close to 28-19 with 17minutes to play. TJs though were in no mood to let this one slip and bustling tries from Tom White and a second from Tout took the game away from the visitors in the last 10 minutes
Canterbury though found a little more room in the final minutes after Connor Lloyd was yellow carded and they managed to crash over for their own try bonus point.
So TJs remain top of N2E with a perfect record and they look ahead to another home fixture next Saturday at 3pm when Westcombe Park are the visitors to The Slade. Can they keep this winning run going – let’s hope so