Hard-fought win for Canterbury
Canterbury ….41 Barnstaple……31
CANTERBURY made it four wins on the bounce after they managed to see off a dogged Barnstaple.
It was the visitors who led early courtesy of a Jordan Petherbridge penalty.
It wasn't until the 18th minute that Canterbury finally registered through Jonathan Murray, although Barnstaple quickly restored their advantage through Jarrad Hayler.
Thereafter it was one way traffic, though, as Canterbury ran over 29 points in 30 minutes.
Cantwell, Kieran Thompson, William Farris and Harry Sayers all scored tries either side of half-time, while Oliver Best converted three and added a penalty.
Just as the game threatened to turn into a rout, Barnstaple were given a reprieve courtesy of Max Cantwell's yellow card, and they rallied in the hope of snatching a precious bonus points.
A five-minute purple patch after the hour saw the visitors reduce the deficit to ten points thanks to converted tries from Petherbridge and Hayler.
But their momentum was broken by a gamesecuring try by Daniel Smart on 83 minutes.
Barnstaple were not to be deterred however, and they grabbed that all important fourth try right at the death through Danny Southworth.
TEAMS
CANTERBURY: Kingsman, Thompson, Murray, T. Best, Sayers, O. Best, Smart, Green, T. Rogers, Kenny, Cadman, Corker, S. Rogers, Rigby, Cantwell.
Replacements: Meredith, Otto, Cooper, Farris, Whetton.
BARNSTAPLE: Topps, Willis, Lee, Carter, Speare, Murphy, Petherbridge, Southworth, Starkey, Dugard, Hague, Mason, Bayet, Hayler, Evans.
Replacements: Angell, Crouch, James, Lloyd, Bath.
REFEREE: Alexis Manley
ATTENDANCE: 256
Star man
Jordan Petherbridge – Canterbury
