Canterbury's hopes of promotion from National 2 South were dealt a huge blow with a crushing 41-8 defeat at rivals Ampthill on Saturday - their biggest loss of the campaign.

The city club held a five point lead over their third-placed rivals going into the game, occupying the sole promotion play-off spot in the division on the back of three straight wins.

However they were comprehensively shut-down by the hosts, despite taking an early lead through a Tom Best penalty, as smothering defence and a solid game-plan earned the crucial points.

Best also scored the only visiting try of the afternoon after good work from scrum-half Grant Kay, but the score came late in the second-half with the game already up.

Canterbury slipped to third on points-difference and are eight points adrift of leaders Hartpury College - whom they beat last weekend - with both their rivals having a game in hand.

On Saturday fourth-placed Bishop's Stortford visit Merton Lane, with the city club knowing a win would secure their highest ever finish in the national league ladder.