Canterbury were left trailing by Ealing on Saturday. Picture: Chris Davey

Canterbury found National 2 South leaders Ealing in irresistible form and were brushed aside 69-12.

Skipper Chris Hinkins described their performance as superb and head coach Danny Vaughan rated it the best he had seen by a visiting side during the city club’s five years of National League rugby.

Canterbury, by normal standards, did not play badly. They won a reasonable share of possession and never stopped competing but when the visitors had the ball, they were a different class.

Relentless support play was rewarded with 11 tries, five scored by England Sevens squad member Phil Chesters.

At the break, Ealing were 29 points ahead and with their own bonus point secured, it was mission accomplished.

Canterbury’s response came in the 39th minute through prop Jimmy Stanford, Will Hilton adding the conversion.

The loss of Gert de Kock, their sharpest attacker, to injury was a blow but the reshuffle saw Tom Best reappear for the first time for many weeks after surgery on a broken thumb.

There was no let up on the resumption as the visitors continued to win the crowd’s admiration with their adventure and quick wits. Ealing were past the 60-point mark before Hilton went over for Canterbury.