A superb defensive effort was at the core of this much needed Canterbury success which ended a five match losing run.

They also faced the challenge of a pitch which the pre-match Devon downpours turned into a quagmire so to come away with three tries was also a tribute to their skill and opportunism.

After the dismal form of the previous week this was a city team transformed and their appetite never wavered in the extreme conditions.  The ability to win turnovers at crucial times, disrupt line outs and make Exmouth struggle to breach the gain line brought the rewards it deserved.

It was a day when mistakes were inevitable but although Canterbury conceded early territory and fell behind to a George Meadows penalty goal after 18 minutes they built momentum in the second quarter. Tom Best claimed all the points that eventually took them into a half time lead, first a  penalty goal then a try under the posts created by half back partner Dan Smart’s quick thinking.  His tap and go penalty caught Exmouth off guard and Best cantered over the line before adding the conversion.

They were important points on a day when conditions underfoot got steadily worse, butCanterbury turned down the chance of another three from a kickable penalty and almost paid the price.  They lost control of the ball, Exmouth kicked to within five metres of the city line and only their defensive lineout skills saved them before the break.

Having missed that opportunity Exmouth took the early second half initiative but Canterbury’s tenacious tacklers were not for breaking.  They absorbed the pressure and the Smart/Best partnership handled the exit strategies with aplomb.

It was one of those moments, a hanging kick out of defence by Best, that led to the city side’s decisive second try.  JJ Murray chased, claimed possession with a superbly timed leap and Exmouth made a panicky handling error.  Smart was on the scene to kick, chase and score, leaving Best another easy conversion and the Devon men fourteen points behind.

Exmouth needed the try that had eluded them to stay in contention and they eventually got it though a stolen scrum ball which allowed George Billings to crash over.  They were given nothing else and while  Canterbury had to run the clock down for the final eleven minutes they did not sit back.

The excellent forwards picked and drove effectively before their attack was given width. Wing Kieran Thompson made a break, the ball was kept alive and Murray found space and pace to race over for the conclusive third try.

 

Canterbury: J.Jones (repl W.Hilton), K.Braithwaite, JJ Murray,W.Farris (repl F.Morgan), K.Thompson, T.Best, D.Smart, A.Coooper (repl (C.Townley), S.Rogers, S.Kenny, (repl J.Green), R.Cadman, G.Edwards (repl L.Woodbridge), G.Micans, H.McCormick-Houston,M.Cantwell.

Pictures supplied by Phillipa Hilton.