Rugby Lions produced another poor performance to allow Canterbury, first time visitors to Webb Ellis Road, to deservedly take all five points back to Kent.

Facing a strong wind, Rugby were soon under pressure and a penalty after three minutes gave the visitors the lead. A sweeping back’s move by the Lions, freed Ade Hales down the right flank, but his pass to unmarked Matt Goode was at his feet, and the ball was knocked on. Back came the visitors, and a simple hand-off by centre Sykes led to an easy run-in under the posts for the supporting player. De Kock converted for a 0-10 score line.

Lion’s hit back immediately and a strong run from Rust from the home 22, followed by good hands from Nash and Overton, allowed Phil Reed the space to crash over for a good try near the uprights. The conversion attempt from Matt Goode was successful to reduce the deficit to three points.

A combination of poor tackling and determined running by the visiting backs, allowed Ben Smith space down the left flank for another converted try. (7-17). A good spell of possession from Rugby led to the feisty Smith being given a spell in the bin following intervention from the assistant referee. The scrums were a mess and Canterbury’s huge prop Pinnick constantly stood up, although this went unpunished throughout the match.

Rugby were on top territorially against 14 men but poor execution was costing them dear. Matt Goode eventually broke through, and one on one against his opposite number, he attempted to run straight through him. De Kock stood firm and Goode was stopped two metres short. When Canterbury did get into Rugby’s half, a penalty increased their lead.

Worse was to follow on the stoke of half time, when another break down the right with defenders AWOL, allowed another converted try for Canterbury.

Stuart Riding came on to replace Tom Cheney at half time and immediately set off on a typical charge. Canterbury were caught offside but the penalty attempt was missed. A number of other penalty chances to reduce the deficit were also spurned. With the wind at their backs, Rugby were camped in the visitor’s half, but Canterbury’s defence was proving difficult to penetrate.

Riding stormed through and looked likely to score, but he was pulled down two metres short and the ball was lost forward. A penalty in front of the posts by Goode made the score 10-27 after sixty-two minutes.

James Hawken replaced Rust with Goode reverting to his more familiar position at centre, and Moir moving to the left wing. A period of pressure from Lion’s, although not particularly threatening, resulted in a string of penalties conceded by the visitors. A quick tap was taken on by Riding, who flipped the ball up for Goode to score by the uprights. The simple conversion was scuffed badly. (15-27). Any hopes of a late comeback by Rugby were scuppered when good hands by the visitors resulted in a bonus point try in front of the clubhouse for wing Littlechild.