By Andy Rogers

Canterbury returned from Barnes empty-handed after missing out on a bonus point in a 39-22 National League 2 East defeat.

With four enforced changes in the back division from last week's narrow defeat against leaders Dorking, this was always going to be a difficult encounter against a confident second-placed Barnes. However it wasn’t cohesion that was lacking in a disappointing first-half display.

Canterbury failed to exert sufficient pressure from their large and experienced pack, not helped by early injuries to second-row Shay Kerry and hooker Nathan Morris, both having to leave the field within the first 20 minutes.

Instead Barnes stole the early initiative and Canterbury had no answers to their offloading masterclass. Three tries in the first 20 minutes, including a brace from winger Paul Webb, had Canterbury on the ropes and with Kerry and Morris off the pitch, Barnes secured their bonus point score before half-time.

It came via a 20m driving maul before dancing full-back Cameron Roberts was released to squeeze over in the corner. Trailing 24-0 at the break a response was required and, to a point, Canterbury delivered.

Frank Reynolds kicked a simple penalty early on before Barnes stretched their lead with a catch-and-drive try from flanker Ethan Harbinson. With the game seemingly beyond them, Canterbury were now taking the initiative and two tries followed. First, a fine finish from winger Jack Weaver, then centre Lewis Hollidge rounded off perhaps the visitors’ best attacking move after a lovely line break from Eoin O’Donoghue.

Barnes kicked a penalty but Canterbury were at last building some pressure and with the hosts repeatedly infringing it cost them three yellow cards. Centre Frank Morgan capitalised from a subsequent penalty with a try from a lineout catch-and-drive, converted by Reynolds, and with 15 minutes still to go Canterbury could suddenly sniff a losing bonus point.

Barnes were to score again to make it 39-22 but with the clock ticking down the city side were on the front foot again - however they missed their chance of a fourth try. It went wrong as they opted for a quickly-taken tap penalty when a kick to the corner and an attacking lineout might have been more productive.

Canterbury return to league action at home to Westcombe Park on November 4.

Canterbury: Best, Halliday, Morgan, Hollidge, Weaver, Reynolds, Cooper, Young, Morris, Herriott, Kerry, Irvine, Rogers, Murray, Stephens. Replacements: O'Donoghue, Macmillan, Williams, Dengate, Farrance.