Guernsey Raiders
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PROGRAMME £1 Match Sponsor National League 2 South Saturday 2nd March 2019 v GUERNSEY Lunch With The Home Straight Ton-up Try Zinzan Principal Sponsor cantrugby.co.uk Programme produced by Hayward Design & Print A MESSAGE FROM 01227 721864 • www.hayward-design.co.uk THE PRESIDENT Proud to sponsor Canterbury Rugby Club Another of National 2 South’s a seamless transition, and many prominent status both in Kent newcomers are our guests today clubs did fall by the wayside or rugby and promoting the game in and it is a pleasure to welcome split in the new professional era. the wider community. the Guernsey team, officials and Canterbury adapted, setting supporters who have travelled out on a path that embraced However, we keep evolving with from the Channel Island for this both semi-professionalism and new challenges and opportunities afternoon’s game. Hopefully, the community rugby and that both on and off the pitch. The fine February weather will extend progress is still evolving today. It local council’s rejection last month into this first weekend of March. has been this ability to adapt and of the Highland Court scheme, retain the game’s core values that which would have provided us In my fourth year as club has underpinned so much of our with a purpose built new home, President it is good to see that our success in providing National was disappointing but we will teams at all levels are enjoying League and Social Rugby and look for new avenues as we some success, inspired by the expanding into Wheelchair, Touch continue to expand. None of great example of the first team and Women’s teams along with a our progress, of course, would squad this season. I have been vibrant Youth and Mini section. have been possible without the reflecting on the changes, both on hard work and dedication of our and off the field, that I have seen A special word here for our committee, volunteers and, not over the years in my association Wheelchair team, the Hellfire, least, our enthusiastic sponsors. with the club. The greatest of who have ensured their place All, including our loyal supporters, these, although it seems almost a in the top level of the game for have played their part in making lifetime ago, has been the move another season and the Ladies this a very special club. I will from amateur to professional squad who have been crowned always be proud to be a member. status and the introduction of league champions. I am sure the leagues. Many of us were our founding forefathers would John Scurr, President sceptical as the old order be proud of the achievements Canterbury RFC changed, despite the promise of we see today with Canterbury’s Match Sponsor Industrial packaging experts Leonard Gould have over 60 years’ experience in solving customers’ challenges with innovation and speed. The Maidstone based company delivers tailored solutions to customers individual requirements, recognising that it is not simply a matter of being able to deliver a pack to specifications. We thank them for their continued support for Canterbury rugby. Lunch Sponsor Formed in 2007 The Wow Factory is a fully integrated creative, design, digital and strategic agency. It serves prestigious clients across the South East of England, London, the wider UK and exotic locations such as Morocco, Granada, New York and Hull. Thanks go to managing director Simon Clubley and his team for backing today’s creative culinary experience. CANTERBURY TALES THE HOME STRAIGHT It’s tight and it’s going to and that makes them even stay that way. As we go into more dangerous as they fight THIS IS HOW THE HOME STRAIGHT the final seven games of for survival. Certainly the visit LOOKS FOR OUR RIVALS: the season the battle for the to London Irish has a ‘banana promotion play-off spot is skin’ feel about it. Just ask Henley: building to a hectic finale. Tonbridge Juddians who went Clifton (A) there after beating us in the Birmingham & Solihull (H) Last weekend Henley stated pre-Christmas Kent derby and Canterbury (A) their case with a thumping lost. It is worth repeating that London Irish (H) win over Taunton in their any side in this league can Guernsey (H), Old Albanian (A) rearranged game and moved beat any other on their day Bury St Edmunds (H) into third place. It cut and, this afternoon, memories Canterbury’s advantage to four of the tough time we had at Tonbridge Juddians: points and when the Hawks Guernsey should banish any Old Redcliffians (A) come to The Marine Travel complacency. Dings Crusaders (H), Ground in two weeks time it Taunton (A), Worthing (H) could be a defining moment There is no such thing as an Redruth (A), Clifton (H) for both clubs. easy fixture between now Birmingham & Solihull (A) and April for the four clubs Before that, however, there in contention for the play-off Taunton: is the little matter of keeping place. None of them, ourselves Barnes (H), Rams (A) our winning run going against included, can rely on other Tonbridge Juddians (H) Guernsey, today, and at results; all must keep on Old Redcliffians (A) London Irish next week. Both winning and make their own Dings Crusaders (H) are deep in the relegation zone opportunities. Guernsey (A), Worthing (A) THANK YOU EVERYONE The last home game became a very special day, not only because of the victory over Birmingham and Solihull but for once again underlining the generosity and community spirit of our supporters. Funds totalling £1500 were raised for a very special lady, Natalie Havill, who worked for our principal sponsor Marine Travel, and is suffering from a rare form of cancer. The cancer, which has recurred for a third time, is terminal and she SAM’S TON-UP TRY has been given only months to live. However, there is a clinical Sam Sterling’s late try against In other news, Kent Under 20 trial taking place in Germany Birmingham & Solihull marked prop Tom Little has been loaned that may prolong her life so a new high; it was the team’s to Medway until the end of the that Natalie can enjoy being 100th of the season. The back season to help them with front with her young family for a little division have been in great form row injury problems and this while longer. The money raised with Aiden Moss our leading try week there was the welcome will help towards her travel scorer on 13, followed by Ricky sight of Number Eight George costs. Mackintosh and Dan Smart 11, Micans back in light training. JJ Murray 10, Ollie Best 8 and He has been out for the whole Tanya Wells, of Marine Travel, Sam Sterling 7. season following knee surgery wrote to say: “I would like last year. Missing from today’s to pass on Marine Travel’s All this, of course, is on the back match squad are the Best heartfelt thanks to your of hard work by the pack and brothers - Tom (injury) and Ollie generous supporters at the front row have made their (work commitments). Australian the Rugby Club lunch on own statement. Sam Kenny and centre Ben Neville makes his first Saturday. We raised £1500 Tristan King, with five tries apiece, team debut and prop Alex Wake- for Natalie’s fund through know their way to the line. Smith returns after recovering the bucket collection and from injury. the various auction items, including the infamous veg box!! I spoke to Natalie on ANDY’S VIEW Saturday evening, she was completely overwhelmed and Clearly a welcome week off last the treatment room. All clubs said that she wished she could week as other teams across are beginning the run in that will thank each and every person the National Leagues caught define their season and Guernsey herself. I know personally how up on weather affected games. are no different. Their recent supportive the club can be and There was a positive message victory at Clifton was impressive Saturday just underlined why from many of the lads and the and they know how to win away we are #oneclub” leadership that, despite having from home so we will have to no match, we wanted to have a bring our best today to have a If you would like to contribute full week’s training to ensure we chance. A big welcome to them go to the crowdfunding site: didn’t lose any sharpness. It was and their supporters after their www.justgiving.com/ a productive couple of sessions long trip from Guernsey. crowdfunding/nataliehavill on the field whilst Charlie Bannigan also worked hard in Andy Pratt, Head of Rugby th WHISTLE SOCIAL MEDIA CHALLENGE How many players fancy the LUNCH WITH ZINZAN challenge of becoming a referee? Ask them and watch the look Former All Black legend Zinzan of alarm that comes over their Brooke will bring a touch of faces. So step forward eight rugby magic to the club’s City brave members of the senior Lunch here at the Marine Travel team squad who, this week, Ground on March 28th. As a volunteered for a three hour 22-year-old he was part of the course on how to referee mini- New Zealand squad that won the rugby (Under 7 to Under 11). first ever World Cup tournament They will test their new found Canterbury Touch in 1987 and he went on to play skills (or lack of) when the club @CanterburyTouch 100 games for his country. hosts the East Kent Mini Festival on Sunday, March 17th.