By Fred Atkins
Rivals Canterbury and Westcombe Park go head to head this afternoon with both sides in need of points after poor recent runs.
“I think it’s going to be a high-octane affair,” said Canterbury coach Danny Vaughan, ahead of today’s National 2 South derby at Westcombe Park this afternoon.
“We know what sort of a game it’s going to be and we know what their strengths are, but we’re going to be focusing on our strengths.”
Both sides are licking their wounds, after heavy defeats last Saturday.
While Canterbury were imploding at home to Southend, blowing a 24-17 lead to lose 29-44, Westcombe Park were the latest victims of a Barking side who look a good bet to go the season unbeaten.
“They look very, very good and they’re going to be hard to beat this year,” Combe’s director of rugby, Steve Reynolds, said after the 32-0 whitewash. “James Linfield played exceptionally well and we matched them up front but where they had a big advantage was at half-back.”
Canterbury may not be Combe’s nearest neighbours, but since their ascent to the national leagues a rivalry has developed.
“We didn’t really play them that much, but in the last four to five years we’ve become rivals and the games have usually been pretty close,” Reynolds added.
If Reynolds could be philosophical about losing to an excellent side, Canterbury’s coach Danny Vaughan had to rebuild his side’s morale after a woeful second-half against Southend, when they were outscored 27-5.
“We just lost our composure,” he admitted. “It’s about experience. We’ve got some young players and it was disappointing because it’s not the first time it’s happened this season. We’ve got to be able to play for 80 minutes.”
Blackheath are at home to Wharfedale in National 1, while in London 1 South, leaders Gravesend are away to Thanet Wanderers, having bounced back from their only defeat of the season against Cobham a fortnight ago to hammer Maidstone 58-7 last week.
Dover can make up ground on the leaders with a win at home to Chobham while Aylesford Bulls, who put in a drastically improved display last week despite losing to Old Colfeians, will be hoping to record their first win of the season at Old Elthamians.
Tonbridge Juddians came as close as they have all season to losing their 100 per cent record at Hove, but few would bet on struggling Bromley succeeding where Hove narrowly (13-20) failed this afternoon.
Dartfordians also boast an unbeaten record in Kent 1, but they face a tricky looking trip to third-placed Sittingbourne this afternoon.
Fixtures
National 1: Blackheath v Wharfedale.
National 2 South: Westcombe Park v Canterbury
London 1 South: Dover v Chobham, Maidstone v Cobham, Old Colfeians v Beckenham, Old Elthamians v Aylesford Bulls, Sidcup v Wimbledon, Thanet Wanderers v Gravesend, Tunbridge Wells v Chichester
London 2 South East: Bromley v Tonbridge Juddians, Deal & Betteshanger v Sevenoaks
London 3 South East: Folkestone v Crowborough, Medway v East Grinstead, Old Gravesendians v Park House, Whitstablev Heathfield & Wealden
Kent 1: Ashford v Guy’s, Cranbrook v Beccehamians, Old Olavians v Gillingham Anchorians, Sheppey v HSBC, Sittingbourne v Dartfordians, Vigo v Erith
Kent 2: Askean v Foots Cray, Bexley v Orpington, Kings v Old Wills, Lords wood v Brockleians, Shooters Hill v New Ash Green.
POSTED: 14/11/2009 09:00:00
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