The term ‘winning ugly’ was surely designed for this Canterbury performance but they will not be complaining after extending their run of victories to five games.
It may not have been the most impressive outing but the city side have now won all three of their games away from home and that is no easy thing in a highly competitive league.
Against newly promoted Wimbledon, still adjusting to the demands of a higher level, it might have seemed like a routine assignment.
But in a disappointing first half Canterbury lacked the accuracy and at times the energy to put their stamp on the game.
They held the whip hand at scrum and lineout but Wimbledon’s sharp work at the breakdown served them well and the only points came from an Ollie Best penalty goal.
They survived a yellow card for scrum half Dan Smart but could make nothing of the sin binning of Wimbledon’s Ben Hough.
Matters improved four minutes into the second half when the back division at last discovered some rhythm and swift handling opened the way for a Charlie Kingsman try which Ollie Best converted from wide out.
In the 55th minute the lead was pushed to a comfortable seventeen points through a second converted try and with Wimbledon offering only isolated threats in attack Canterbury appeared at ease with themselves.
It was a good try, created by Smart’s box kick and pressure put on the home defence by the chasing Harry Sayers. A bouncing ball ran loose and Tom Best was on it in a flash to leave brother Ollie a simple conversion.
What could go wrong? Well, two minutes later Wimbledon were back in the match. A penalty gave them field position and close quarter driving ended in skipper Dylan Flashman forcing his way over and James Doe adding the conversion.
Canterbury’s composure suddenly vanished and they were let off the hook when home wingman Josh Charles dropped a try scoring pass which would have brought Wimbledon even closer.
It was a lucky break for the city men but as the game headed towards its close they imposed themselves again and scored a classy try.
Flanker Seb Clark stole a Wimbledon lineout, the backs did their business quickly and Aiden Moss marked his return from injury in the best possible way by ghosting past two defenders on his way to the line.
Canterbury: C. Kingsman, K.Thompson, T.Best, W.Farris, H.Sayers (repl A.Moss), O.Best, D.Smart, A.Cooper (repl J.Green), T.Rogers, S.Kenny, R.Cadman,, M.Corker, S.Rogers (repl M,Cantwell), S.Clark, M.Cantwell (repl J.Rigby)