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PROGRAMME £1 Match Sponsor National League 2 South Saturday 1st December 2018 v OLD ALBANIAN In The Pink Back In Action Away Day Joy 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 Today it is my pleasure to the old order changed, despite the game in the wider community. welcome the players, officials and the promise of a seamless However, we keep evolving with supporters of Old Albanian to transition, and many clubs did new challenges and opportunities the Marine Travel Ground. They fall by the wayside or split in the both on and off the pitch. The will view their relegation from new professional era. Canterbury possibility of moving the club to a Division One last season as only adapted, setting out on a path new purpose built development a temporary blip and they are in that embraced both semi- at Highland Court is one such good form at the moment. We professionalism and community prospect, something we will all can all look forward to a highly rugby and that progress is still have a keen interest in over the competitive game this afternoon. evolving today. It has been this next few months. This is my third year as president ability to adapt and retain the and it is good to see our teams at game’s core values that has None of this, of course, would all levels enjoying some success. underpinned so much of our have been possible without the success in providing National hard work and dedication of our I have been reflecting on the League and social rugby and committee, volunteers and, not changes, both on and off the field, expanding into Wheelchair, Touch least, our enthusiastic sponsors. that I have seen over the years and Women’s teams along with a All, including our loyal supporters, in my association with the club. vibrant Youth and Mini section. have played their part in making The greatest of these, although this a very special club. I will it seems almost a lifetime ago, I am sure our founding always be proud to be a member. has been the move from amateur forefathers would be proud of the to professional status and the achievements we see today with John Scurr, President introduction of the leagues. Canterbury’s prominent status Canterbury RFC Many of us were sceptical as both in Kent rugby and promoting Match Sponsor Canterbury-based building control specialists Harwood have more than 50 years of experience in both the local authority and private sectors. Harwood provides a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience in all areas of construction and landscaping and delivers specifically tailored solutions to meet clients needs. Our thanks goes to them for their support today and to match ball sponsors Pink & Black, the construction company, and Finch Landscapes. harwood.uk.com CANTERBURY TALES IN THE PINK There will be a colourful new look about the first team when they run out for this afternoon’s game. Pink shirts are the order of the day, and not just for the players but for everyone here to watch the game as we show our support for cancer care charity Macmillan. The initiative to make this a special occasion came from ball sponsors Pink & Black and Nick Finch, of Finch HAPPY AWAY DAYS Landscapes. Match sponsors Harwood have also given their After an outstanding win at of icing. In addition we have backing to the fundraising Henley last week extended taken three bonus points from effort. All of us will no doubt be our unbeaten run to five the matches we have lost. It aware of families which have games, expectations are, would be unwise, however, to been affected by cancer. Today understandably, running high get carried away just yet. is an opportunity for our local among supporters. Second rugby community to keep up place in the league table is the We have a tough schedule in the fight against the disease. best we have achieved for a the lead up to the Christmas So give generously. long time. Equally important break, starting today and is that three of those victories including trips to Bury St Our commitment to good have been away from home, Edmunds and Tonbridge causes does not end there. at Birmingham, Guernsey and Juddians. Kent rivals Judds, With problems of the support Henley, and only once in the too, are having a good spell. for mental health sufferers successful run have we missed very much in the news our out on a bonus point. Looking further ahead to 2019, first team fly half Ollie Best is we have more games here at launching a fund raising effort The survival mantra in National the Marine Travel Ground than for the charity Noggin. Ollie is 2 South has always been ‘Win on the road which should be taking orders for club Beanie the home games, collect as to our advantage. Then again, hats and all proceeds go to many bonus points as possible this league has a history of the mental health charity. They and anything else is icing on throwing up surprises in the cost ten pounds and you can the cake.’ That makes our second half of the season. put your name down for the away record this season to headgear with Ollie or Andy date, four wins from seven Pratt. games, a pretty thick piece BACK IN ACTION The injury list, while not as dramatic as last season, has been serious enough to have impacted on the make-up of the senior sides. So it is good news to hear from Head of Rugby Andy Pratt that first team skipper Max Cantwell and tight head prop Alex Wake- Smith are back in action today with the Pilgrims. Coupled with optimism over the fitness of prop Elliot White and the versatile Sam Rogers the senior squad is gradually returning to greater strength and depth. There is, as ever, a down side. Fly half Harvey Young will need time to recover from the broken jaw he sustained at Redruth and the back row curse has not gone away. Flanker Seb Clark is out for the season following a knee operation and it will be the New Year before we see Number Eight Tyler Oliver fully fit. The wisdom of recruiting pre- season cover for that vulnerable area has been fully justified. ANDY’S VIEW A huge thank you to the Seb Roche and Elliot White are supporters who came to Henley also on the verge of returning and last week, it made a big difference. should play before the Christmas break. Finally, Sam Rogers’ Some good news on the injury long journey back from ACL side of things with skipper Max surgery last December seems Cantwell and prop Alex Wake to be nearing its end. Sam has Smith making their returns today been training well and we are in the Pilgrims match v Sidcup. working out the final stages of Max suffered a knee injury in his rehabilitation before hopefully the win over TJs in only the seeing him pull on the black & second game of the season amber once more in the next few whilst Alex’s return to play after a weeks. workplace accident only lasted a few minutes at Redruth before a A big welcome to OAs. Enjoy the separate knee strain put him out pink themed day - please support again. Both are important players such a fantastic cause. and leaders within the group so hopefully today goes well for both. Andy Pratt, Head of Rugby th LUNCH SOCIAL MEDIA WITH JASON It is eleven years since we held our first City Lunch in London and the latest was as successful and enjoyable as ever. It could hardly fail to be a sell out with England and British Lions Phillipa Hilton legend Jason Leonard as the @13Hilton1 guest speaker. The former RFU President did not disappoint the @cantrugby another city lunch done, crowd at Smith & Wollensky with great speaker 114, we couldn’t do it his tales from the tours and we without all your support. owe Tony Allan and his company, LG Vestra, a vote of thanks for making Jason’s visit possible. The event always raises substantial funds for the club but this time there was a welcome bonus for that great man of the game Doddie Weir who is grappling with Motor Neurone disease. Jason put his signature on a huge amount of rugby balls which were auctioned off and Frank Davis raised over £400 for the Doddie @Frankd2244 Weir Foundation which funds research into MND. Fantastic day as ever. Already looking forward to the next one. COME TO THE MARKET The club hosts its first ever Christmas Market a week tomorrow, Sunday December 9th, in the lunch marquee. It has all the makings of a big success but there is still room for you and your business to be part of it. Want to be there? If so email our Volunteer Coordinator Ian Lloyd volunteercoordinator@cantrugby.co.uk and reserve your pitch for just £10. Jacqueline Smallwood is going to build a Santa’s Grotto for the JAMIE STEPHENS kids but who is going to play Santa is a closely guarded secret. Man of The Match Pitches for stalls can also be booked via the application form on v LONDON IRISH WILD GEESE the club web site under Events. OUR VISITORS: OLD ALBANIAN The Hertfordshire club arrive playoff in 2015–16. Then came today looking to extend a last season’s set back and the four match winning run and challenge once again of finding a keeping a promotion challenge route to the higher level.