Head coach Matt Corker felt Canterbury Rugby Club’s inability to add to a slender lead proved costly in their dramatic defeat at Henley Hawks on Saturday.

They led from the fourth minute to the last, albeit a losing bonus point proved scant reward for their efforts from a 17-16 National League 2 East loss.

Also battling against Storm Bert as well as the opposition, Canterbury were left hugely disappointed, with loose-head prop Aaron Cooper yellow-carded late on before the Hawks converted their third try on a wet and windy afternoon.

Corker’s team had looked on course for a third win out of three from their November block through winger Garry Jones’ converted try and three penalties from fly-half Frank Reynolds.

Corker said: “We were in control. We had a six-point lead.

“We felt that we needed to capitalise on some of our territory and extend that lead - a six-point lead is always a dangerous lead to have. There was definitely one clear chance for me that, if we had taken it, we would be feeling very different right now.

“We seemed to get on the wrong end of the referee and got a late yellow card, which we didn’t have too many complaints about.

Report: Henley Hawks 17-16 Canterbury

“We just couldn’t keep them out.

"It was a really tough defeat to take in challenging conditions but, also, there were lessons there.”

A mere three points separates sixth-placed Canterbury from Henley, who are fifth, with the city club having also been defeated 36-35 at Henley last campaign.

“Against good teams, it’s always going to come down to narrow margins,” said Corker. “We lost by a point away to Henley last year, as well.

“We’ve been playing some really good rugby but, to beat the best, you need to do that for 80 minutes. We’re very close.

“I was really proud of the players and how they adapted to the conditions.

“They really went to work. That’s not the type of rugby we have been playing of late, either, because we have been moving the ball quickly and scoring tries.

“But in those conditions, you just couldn’t. We managed to have a 100 per cent line-out and the scrum was really good.

“We scored a great try but, ultimately, it wasn’t quite enough.”

The city club return to action with another three-game block ahead of Christmas which starts on Saturday, December 7, at home to Oxford Harlequins after a fixture-free Saturday.

Canterbury have landed a coup, signing centre Harry Sloan from French ProD2 side Agen.

Sloan has represented England under-20s and appeared in the English Premiership with Harlequins and Saracens.

The 30-year-old was born in Pembury, near Tunbridge Wells. His first club was Cranbrook before he joined the Harlequins Academy.

Sloan made 36 Premiership appearances for Quins, ahead of a spell with Championship team Ealing Trailfinders, and then signed for Saracens.

He had spent two seasons in French rugby with Agen but has decided to move into the semi-professional game while he develops career opportunities outside rugby.

Director of rugby Taff Gwilliam enthused: “The signing of Harry Sloan underlines the ambition of Canterbury to become a sustainable leading club.

“We welcome Harry, who adds quality and experience to our developing senior squad. He’s an intelligent and humble man, who will fit in well with the rest of the squad.

“We’re simply delighted he has chosen to join us and look forward to him taking to the field in Canterbury colours.”