By David Haigh
Six second-half tries swept North Walsham aside as Canterbury dominated possession and territory for a 54-10 win at National League 2 East’s basement club.
The first half ended with the city side, despite having overall control, just six points in front but after the break they shook the journey to Norfolk out of their system and brought fresh, match-winning energy and purpose to their work.
The bulk of Canterbury's first-half points came from the boot of fly-half Frank Reynolds, who kicked three penalty goals and converted a 26th-minute catch-and-drive try from Tyler Oliver.
A young and outmuscled Walsham side nevertheless put in a great defensive shift and when a rare attacking chance came, they took it.
An intercepted pass and slick handling sent wing Tawanda Kendemawa clear for a try, converted by Ross Magnus, who added a penalty goal in the final minute of the half.
However, any hopes of a first league victory the Vikings may have entertained were rapidly destroyed as Canterbury raised the intensity from the start of the second half and never let go. The hosts were targeted by a superior pack that served up a stream of possession from the set-pieces and now turned it into points with four close-range tries.
Shay Kerry got the first four minutes after the restart but it was in the final quarter that the tries flowed. With the ball carriers making constant inroads, Jamie Stephens, twice, and Will McColl made the touchdowns.
Late in the day the attack was spread wider and overlaps created scores for wings Alfie Orris and, finally, Garry Jones. Four more conversions from Reynolds made sure the 50-point mark was passed as Canterbury took maximum points to consolidate their seventh place in the table.
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