Two late tries condemned Canterbury to their third National 2 South defeat of the season 26-7 at Shelford on Saturday.

After a promising start, three penalties put the home side in control and Canterbury’s hopes weren’t helped by front row men Matt Pinnick and Jim Green were given yellow cards for technical offences within the space of four minutes.

After Green’s departure Shelford quickly exploited their superior numbers with a try from influential Tongan No.8 Aki Lea.

It left the city club 14 points adrift at half-time but they were a far more competitive unit after the break, both in both attack and in some outstanding defence.

Mike Melford went over to keep Canterbury within touching distance but poor decision making cost valuable territory and allowed Shelford wing John Naylor the luxury of two late tries, making the scoreline grimmer reading than Canterbury deserved.