Unlocking tight defences will be an important factor if Canterbury are to make an impact on the new season. 

Here, it took them almost 40 minutes to find a way past a tenacious ‘Combe side who, in typical Kent derby mode, made the city side work hard for their success.

A controlled second half performance eased Canterbury home but they will know there is plenty to refine before the serious business of league rugby arrives in a couple of weeks time.

With both squads lacking experienced names it is too early to draw conclusions about prospects but the ‘Combe management will be upbeat about their chances in National Division 3 if the team maintain level of commitment they displayed on Saturday.

Playing against wind and slope in the first half they contested territory fiercely, halting the city side’s flow and disrupted their possession skilfully.

Until the last minute of the half only a couple Martyn Beaumont penalty goals kept Canterburyin front before an enterprising try widened the gap.  Dan Smart’s quick throw-in allowed full back Aiden Moss to make a penetrating run from deep before Beaumont finished off and added the goal points.

It left the city side still with plenty to do, playing against the elements after the break, but they went about their business intelligently.

An early Beaumont break made a try for Harry Sayers to win breathing space and they proceeded to control possession for long periods through close quarter driving.   The tireless work of flanker Sam Rogers typified their approach, there was measured control at the set scrums and with ball in hand they looked a more threatening unit than earlier in the contest.

‘Combe deservedly pulled back a try, started and finished by their scrum half, but soon conceded a penalty when under pressure. From the line-out Canterbury’s catch and drive saw prop Jim Green get the touch down and Ollie Best added a fine conversion against the wind.

A 20-point gap was beyond the visitors but they were always looking for positives and a powerful crash ball move in mid-field was rewarded with a late, converted try.

Canterbury: A.Moss (repl G.Hilton), K.Thompson, J.Jones, W.Farris (repl O.Best), N.Baro Mestres (repl H.Sayers), M.Beaumont, D.Smart, J.Green, T.Rogers, S.Kenny (repl S,Goode), E.Cohen (repl M.Barnes), T.Burns, S.Rogers, F.Edwards (repl J.Shaw), M.Cantwell.

Canterbury Pilgrims were easily beaten, 36-5, by an efficient Westcombe Park 2s in their first pre-season friendly. It was a poor performance by the city club’s second string who failed to make their tackles and were tactically all at sea..  Only a late, unconverted try saved them from a whitewash.