Two outstanding second half tries, scored by full back Martyn Beaumont, pointed Canterbury to a third league victory of the season and one which lifts them out of the National 2 South relegation zone.

The significance of this result cannot be overestimated because it came seven days after one of the city club’s worst showings. Following a limp and humiliating experience at Dorking they owed it to themselves and their supporters to find a way back and, in a superb game of rugby, rediscovered their spirit and resilience.

They needed those qualities in bucketfuls against a highly competitive Chinnor outfit and in the process turned over a nine-point half time deficit then clung on to claim the points.

There were flaws, particularly in the second half when, having clawed their way back into the game, Canterbury handed the visitors quick routes back. But, unlike the previous week, they were rescued by an excellent defence which was breached only once.

Another bonus was that they survived a physical contest relatively unscathed by injury, only new boy Alex Davolls being forced off but not seriously damaged in making a wonderful try saving tackle on the powerful Chinnor centre Junior Fataliofa.

By that time Canterbury were five points ahead, courtesy of a beautfully weighted cross field kick from Tom Best which landed in the arms of wing Mason Rosvall who put in a top class finish.

Chinnor were unlucky to lose hooker James Tomlinson with a serious ankle injury but after a considerable delay while he was treated they took the lead in the 17th minute.

A feisty pack, who gave Canterbury plenty to think about at scrum time, drove hard at close quarters before fly half Ed Keohane sent prop Joe Pickett over. Keohane converted the try and five minutes later added a long range penalty goal before Tom Best found a response. His second penalty chance within three minutes was successful but it was the visitors who reached the interval in better shape.

Canterbury were still rueing a missed opportunity created by Ryan Ward’s clean break when Chinnor cleverly turned defence into a blind side attack. Their backs shipped the ball through three pairs of hands before George Blewitt scored at the corner and Keohane landed a fine conversion.

It left Canterbury with much to do and they came up with a cracking reply six minutes into the second half. A quickly taken free kick in midfied got the backs on the move. Aiden Moss’s pass sent Beaumont on a terrific curving 45 metre run for the try, but Best hit the post with the conversion attempt.

As they do too frequently for comfort, Canterbury conceded territory at the restart and a charge by Chinnor lock Toby Salmon, followed by quick recycling, saw Keohane cross the line to restore the gap to nine points.

The city side urgently needed a response and found it just three minutes later. The first thrust was from a line out catch and drive before the attack was widened. Accurate and well timed passing put Beaumont over for his second try and Best converted.

The home pack, with fresher legs, were now carrying forcefully across the gain line as they went in search of a bonus point score and that morale-boosting win..
They missed out on the bonus but in the 67th minute Chinnor were caught offside and Best’s penalty goal from head on the posts proved to be the last and vital score on a day whe Canterbury found their mojo.

Canterbury: M.Beaumont, A.Davolls (repl C.Horey), A.Moss, T.Best, M.Rosvall, G.Hilton, G.Kay, R.McLeod (repl S.Kenny), N.Wakefield (repl S.Rogers), A.Wake-Smith, R.Cadman, R.Corr (repl C.Hinkins), T.Sherson, R.Ward, G.Micans