Old Albanians 35 Canterbury 21: National League 2 East match report

By David Haigh

It was a case of what might have been for Canterbury after Old Albanians took the National League 2 East spoils 35-21.

Two home tries in the final two minutes before half-time left the visitors chasing a game which, until then, was wide open.

They chased hard, too, dominating the second half, but then, incredibly, threw away the bonus point they deserved.

The early action had a familiar feel, with Canterbury dominating possession and territory without making best use of it and then falling behind the first time their defence was tested.

After finding a good touch Albanians set up a series of close drives before Nathan Mitchelow plunged over between the posts and Greg Lound converted.

Six minutes later Canterbury responded and when their forward battering failed to make an impression they whipped the ball wide to make an overlap try for Guy Hilton. Frank Reynolds topped up the try with a fine conversion.

They fell behind again, though, to a smart Albanian try as wing Jordan Evans made the most of a clever chip kick and kind bounce. However, with only seven points in it and the half drawing to a close the city side looked comfortable - until those fatal lapses.

A missed tackle gave Albanians the opportunity to send Jarryd Sage over for his side's third try and Canterbury quickly folded again. A scramble in defence, a yellow card for Sam Rogers and a catch-and-drive try which saw Lound nail his fourth conversion did the damage.

From that low point Canterbury set about a repair job is commanding style.

They controlled the second half, playing with pace and verve, chipped away at the deficit with two catch-and-drive scores from prop Billy Young, both converted, and looked on course for even better things.

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