CANTERBURY Rugby Club toppled league leaders Portsmouth with an 18-0 win in their last match of the season to snatch the London Division 2 title from their visitors on Saturday.

Portsmouth needed only a draw to take the championship, and the automatic

promotion that goes with it, but were mostly second best in all areas against quicker, more skilful-looking opponents.

However, Canterbury spurned several openings in a nervy first half, notablywhen a forward pass ended a superb break by winger Dan Weigh, and had to settle for two penalties from full-back Alex Kealy for a 6-0 half time

lead.

Portsmouth started the second half with even more determination, but were undone by a strong run from powerful No 8 Ken Aseme, which earned Canterbury a scrum near the try-line in the right-hand corner.

The ball was then worked the full width of the field and burly forward Jamie Forsyth forced through the tackles for a touch down in the opposite corner.

Kealy missed the conversion, which left Portsmouth a glimmer of hope, and

they enjoyed their best spell of the match, but Canterbury resisted the pressure and late in the game a turnover allowed captain Andy Pratt to race clear and score beneath the posts.

This time Kealy added the extra two points to begin celebrations which lasted long after the final whistle. Portsmouth must go into a play-off for the second promotion spot, but Canterbury will begin next season in London Division 1, the highest level

in their history.