Canterbury Rugby Club coach Matt Corker says free weekend was a welcome break as they prepare to host Henley Hawks and look to extend their winning National League 2 East run

A free weekend proved a welcome break for Canterbury Rugby Club.

The city club, on a four-game National League 2 East winning run, would have been forgiven for being disappointed at the news of their scheduled trip to Bury St Edmunds being postponed due to the freezing temperatures last weekend.

Only two league matches went ahead but Canterbury coach Matt Corker and his troops didn’t mind missing out too much.

Corker, whose side host Henley this Saturday and then end the calendar year with a Kent derby at Tonbridge Juddians, said: “If we’re honest, it’s come at quite a nice time for us.

“After four really tough games, we were carrying a few bumps and bruises. We still did some gym sessions but getting away from contact for a bit was really important.

“I think the rest will do us good. In terms of not being able to continue our winning run, that’s something we had to put on hold.

“But, with the way we have built that, I fully expect us to continue performing at those levels.

“We have got some really big games before Christmas. The one this weekend is our last home game of the year and then Tonbridge is a local derby.

“It’s important for us to finish the year in the right way.”

Corker watched runaway leaders Canterbury Pilgrims make it 10 wins from 10 with a 19-0 Kent 1 victory at Ashford last Saturday.

“It’s just a really thriving part of the club,” admitted Corker.

“It was important for us to get the Pilgrims into that league. It’s just helping that team to go from strength to strength.

“Our 1sts, 2nds and 3rds are all in good leagues. It’s helping us to develop players throughout the club and that’s massively important.”

Canterbury will host a fourth-placed Henley outfit who are six points clear of them.

Corker said: