Head coach Matt Corker has revealed there was even more to fly-half Frank Reynolds’ influential display in Canterbury Rugby Club's latest win than the points he scored.

Reynolds ended the day with 29 points, which was made up of six penalty goals, three conversions and a try, as the city club secured a 39-22 victory against Westcombe Park in National League 2 East at Merton Lane last weekend.

“What the scoreboard doesn’t say is he made two try-saving tackles,” said Corker. “He’s just getting better and better.

“A lot of the game management from us is down to him, as well, so I was really pleased with him - and the team - on Saturday.”

Reynolds finished as the division’s top points scorer last season and the vice-captain has started in a similar vein of form this term.

Corker said: “It’s down to his process. These things don’t happen by accident.

“What’s really positive is Frank recognised he was doing a bit too much with his kicking.

“Making that adjustment and not overdoing things has really helped.

"I don’t think Frank will mind me saying that he’s developing into a really mature rugby player.”

Back-rower Tyler Oliver and centre/winger Frank Morgan also dotted down for Canterbury, who came out on top at the end of a typically physical derby, despite having scrum-half Presley Farrance yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on shortly before half-time.

On the win over Westcombe Park, Corker reflected: “It was really good.

“I think, for us, we have been really focused on our performances. We have had some good results - but we have not been that satisfied with the performances.

“Havant (a 36-31 win) was a good example of that. We got five points, but we weren’t that pleased with that performance.

“On Saturday, we were aggressive but it was controlled aggression. That was a real positive.”

While Canterbury have moved up to fourth in the league, they face a huge test when they travel to Kent rivals Tonbridge Juddians, who have won all of their six league matches this term, on Saturday.

But Corker’s team were 31-29 victors at The Slade in February 2023 and also edged to a 28-24 triumph at the same venue last December.

The coach said: “The last two times we have played away at Tonbridge Juddians, we have put in two good performances and come away with two wins.

“I think the lads know what level we will need to be to get a result there. They’re a good side and they have signed some good players, as well.

“They have gone up a level - and the table shows that - so we’ll need to go up another level.”

As well as the first team, Canterbury Pilgrims have moved straight to the top of Kent 1, with five victories from five, while the Canterbury Canons are at the Kent 4 summit and are yet to taste defeat in the league this term, either.

Corker enthused: “We’re very fortunate to have so many ambitious young players come to Canterbury. We want to be a place they can come to and make great memories.

“That’s blending a great culture. Our aspiration for the Pilgrims is for them to win their league again. That’s easy to say but much harder for them to do.

“As the whole thing is growing, the Canons have been a real success story for the club.

“It’s great that they’re having that success and just continuing to improve.”