Canterbury look to push forward in their game against Shelford Picture: Paul Dennis

Canterbury claimed their first maximum point haul in National League 2 South after being awarded a last minute penalty try over Shelford.

Wing Mike Melford, who had already grounded two tried, was tackled without the ball as he stretched to touch down Luke Harding’s kick. The final score was 27-17 in Canterbury’s favour.

Before that moment the league’s new boys were heading for a bonus point with just three points separating the sides in a tightly fought contest.

Shelford started the first half strongly with three tries as they replied to Ben Thomas’ early penalty goal for Canterbury.

Melford scored Cantrbury’s only try of the half which was converted by Thomas. The hosts bounced back from a 17-10 half-time deficit with tries from Melford and Rob Keir before the late award finally ended Shelford’s fight.

Canterbury: Faulkner, Davis, Brown, Sykes, Melford, Thomas, Woodbridge (Harding), Stanford (Livesey), Hainey (Rogers), Hull (Goode), Keir, Lister, Hinkins, Kelly, Sheen.