A second half revival allowed Canterbury to salvage a losing bonus point from the wreckage of a dire first 40 minutes.

Even that small deposit in the bank was an achievement after they reached half time 27 points adrift and chasing the game.  However, two tries in the opening four minutes of the new half and the discovery of a bite that had been badly missing then raised expectations dramatically only for them to be dashed as Chinnor grabbed two important scores which realistically left the city side seeking a consolation prize.

The fight back merited a reward but Canterbury were in need of redemption after that dreadful first half performance when they defended poorly and fell foul of the referees whistle. When they had possession they failed to protect it or pose any serious threat.

Chinnor, another lower table side in need of a win, were quick to expose the frailties.

The tone was set by the opening try as Canterbury failed to read a set piece move and wing Henry Lamont cruised through.  When the city men finally found some momentum it cost them a second try.  A forced pass was intercepted by Oscar Heath who was left with an open field.

A barrage of penalties and the accurate boot of Sam Angell kept the home side in the ascendancy and two conversions and two penalty goals opened a 20-point gap.  That was just about manageable but in the final minutes of the half centre Junior Fatialofa made a powerful outside break, the tacklers fell off him and Angell’s third conversion ensuredCanterbury’s hill was a steep one to climb.

They came out for the second period a transformed unit and scaled the lower slopes in quick time.  Three minutes in, Courtney Horey did a repeat act of the Heath try for Chinnor with an interception and long distance run for the line. A minute later Canterbury struck again. A lineout catch and drive made ground before the ball was spread wide and full back Ollie Best was given space to score.  Brother Tom’s second conversion was another boost.

Had the city side made good on this new confidence with another score they would have been right back in the mix but Chinnor, with skipper James Tyas always prominent, regained the initiative at a crucial stage..

A penalty gave them the platform for a try by Angell and three minutes later centre James Adams hit a flat pass at pace and Angell’s conversion pushed the lead out to 25 points.  It left Canterbury too much ground to make up despite their domination of the last quarter.

Sean Nixon’s broke smartly off a maul set up a third try, Tom Best making a determined and decisive finish and adding the conversion but a lack of accuracy when in key attacking positions held them back.

Three minutes from the end Harry Sayers try won the bonus point which might have slipped away, but this defeat pushesCanterbury back towards the relegation zone. With nine games left they will have to do much better to salvage their season..

Canterbury: O.Best, H.Sayers (repl M.Rosvall), C.Horey, T.Best, M.Rosvall (repl D.Winchester), M.Beaumont, D.Smart, J.Green (repl C.Townley), T.Rogers (repl N.Wakefield), A Wake-Smith, R.Cadman (repl S.Rogers), T.Edwards, M.Cantwell (repl S.Nixon), S.Rogers (repl T.Burns), G.Micans.