An important step was taken by Canterbury along the road to survival as they elbowed fellow strugglers Lydney back into the relegation zone.

Seventeen second half points brought the city side a solid and deserved victory and, crucially, sent the visitors home to Gloucestershire empty handed.

Not only the result but the way they approached the game will have given Canterbury’s confidence a much needed fillip for their four remaining games of the season.

Playing into a cold wind in the first half they retained possession for significant periods, kept errors to a minimum and generally were on top of visitors who failed to make the most of the conditions and butchered their best chance of a try. After the break the city side won early control and were strong and focussed enough to carry them home.

At half time Canterbury trailed by a single point but with the pack carrying and keeping the ball alive effectively, and with some sharp tools in the back division, they could well have added to the try they scored after eleven minutes.

The opening thrust was made by Ricky Mackintosh’s tackle breaking charge down the right wing channel and finished in style by Martyn Beaumont. Three more points went begging from a missed penalty but with Canterbury on the front foot it took Lydney the best part of twenty minutes to pose a serious threat. When opportunity finally knocked they failed to take it.

Wing Josh Hannam’s strong running set up position but when the visiting backs created a clear overlap a forward pass killed what should have been a nailed on try. They did not get that kind of chance again.

There was more pressure for Canterbury’s stubborn defenders to absorb before Brad Barnes opened the visitors account with a 27th minute penalty goal but they lacked vision and a real cutting edge and did not steal ahead until the final minute of the half.

A Canterbury drop out was returned with interest by full Tony Wicks who collected on half way and hammered over a monster 50 metre drop goal.

However, Lydney’s failure to use the following wind was quickly brought home to them as the city side made the early second half running. An exchange of penalty goals between Best and Eamonn Rees kept the visitors marginally in front, but on the hour the game swung firmly Canterbury’s way as the pack stamped their growing authority on an attacking scrum. Dan Smart, a lively presence at scrum half and one of three returning players who brought welcome experience to the side, made the touchdown as Lydney were rolled back.

The third Canterbury try, which effectively settled matters, had its roots in a poor clearance kick run back by Mackintosh into the heart of the visitors defence. Quick recycling, a sharp break by Best and the overlap it created for Charlie Harding did the rest. Best’s second conversion, this one a fine kick from wide out, put winning daylight between the sides.

Canterbury’s final mission was to find a precious fourth try and an additional bonus point. They were denied by a stubborn Lydney who enjoyed the bulk of the late possession but lacked the firepower to make it count.

Canterbury: M.Beaumont, R.Mackintosh C.Harding, A.Veale, A.Moss, T.Best, D Smart, J.Green (repl A.Wake-Smith) N.Wakefield (repl S.Rogers), A.Wake-Smith (repl S.Kenny), R.Cadman, T.Burns (repl C.Hinkins), T.Sherson, R.Ward, A.Cathcart.