By David Haigh

Canterbury’s slender but impressive 35-34 National League 2 East victory at Dorking hung on the last kick of the match.

An 80th-minute try for the hosts gave Craig Holland the chance to save their unbeaten home run with a conversion that would have stolen the game, but the kick fell short, Canterbury celebrated and justice was just about done.

Dorking has not been a happy hunting ground for the city team in recent seasons, and head coach Matt Corker described the win as a big step forward.

“We had a simple plan, to be aggressive at the breakdown and keep the ball moving,” he added.

For much of the game it worked a treat as Dorking were knocked out of their stride and with ball in hand Canterbury were sharp and incisive. The hosts, though, quickly got over an inauspicious start when a charged-down kick brought Finn Osborne a try, converted by Henry Anscombe.

Three minutes later Will Waddington's dummy opened space for fellow centre Frank Morgan to stroll across the whitewash, converted by Frank Reynolds, and gave notice of Canterbury’s attacking threat. Their defence were guilty of missed tackles when Will Scholes came up with the home side’s second touchdown, but Canterbury were soon back in the lead.

Assured handling was the key and this time Aiden Moss, making his 200th league appearance, was the scorer. Reynolds converted and before half-time added two penalty goals.

As the half closed, Tom Bloomer's catch-and-drive score closed the gap to three points but for a city side which had played against the slope and the wind it was a good job done.

In the first 20 minutes of the second half they reaped the reward of that hard work.

Reynolds kicked his third penalty goal and as Dorking came under mounting pressure Canterbury released the ball from a catch and drive and spread it wide where Kurt Heatherley applied the finishing touch. Next, they kept the drive tight for a bonus-point score, with Eoin O’Donoghue making the touchdown and Reynolds converting to open an 18-point lead.

It was in the final quarter that the drama unfolded as the Dorking pack found another gear, the city side were hammered by penalties and struggled to keep possession. Two close-quarter tries from prop Tom Bristow, one converted, gave Dorking their chance and in a frantic final minute they worked wing Max Coyle across. As the visitors held their breath Dorking’s shot at goal - and glory - failed.

Canterbury, in fourth, end the year at home to 11th-placed Sevenoaks on Saturday.

Canterbury: Heatherley, Jones, Morgan, Waddington, Moss, Reynolds, Farrance, Huntley, O'Donoghue, Herriott, Irvine, Stephens, Thomas, Rogers, Oliver. Replacements: Frostick, Furneaux, McGovern, Orris, Young.