Coach Matt Corker wants Canterbury’s players to show how far they’ve come when they visit National 2 East leaders Blackheath.

The city club, 52-14 winners last weekend against Westcliff, head into the Kent derby after a much-needed success.

This Saturday, though, Canterbury play a strong Blackheath outfit who have lost just twice in 13 league fixtures.

Players from both camps will take on former teams and Corker wants his troops to put on a better showing than they did in September when they lost 57-12 at home to the same opposition.

Corker said: “We have got a few guys that played there. I played there myself many moons ago.

“We know they are a club with aspirations of going back to National 1. I would be surprised if that’s not the case come the end of the season.

“But it’s a good opportunity to test ourselves - that will help us understand where we are at.

• Report: Canterbury 52-14 Westcliff

“At home, we conceded 50 points and the real disappointment was we didn’t give a good account of ourselves.

“We know they’re a good team but we want the lads to see how far they have come.”

Canterbury returned to action in style after the festive period against second-bottom Westcliff.

Corker’s men hadn’t played competitively since December 10 before the weekend home fixture but the coach has been thrilled with the way in which his players have kept themselves in shape.

He said: “It’s important to say that Westcliff are on a difficult part of their journey. They’re going through some issues on and off the field.

“From our perspective, I think it was a really controlled performance. This time last year against Old Albanians, we came back and lost [12-3] - we just were not in good condition.

“But the lads were all posting their sessions and have come back in good condition. To be fair, some haven’t, but that showed.

“I was proud of that and it showed in a really good performance.”

Victory over Westcliff ended a three-month wait for a league win.

“We have definitely been building,” said Corker.

“I think it’s important to acknowledge we have been in a tough spot.

"But we have been there or thereabouts. It’s been close and we have been in games.

“It’s important how we take lessons from the game [on Saturday]. We were very effective in the 22 - that was the difference for me.

“Will Waddington, our full-back, was fantastic as well, as were our second-rowers.”

Waddington was their star, though, grabbing three of his side’s eight tries, while forward power made life hard for the visitors.

On the full-back, Corker said: “He’s just growing and growing.

“He’s getting better every week. We are lucky to have him.”

Tyler Oliver, Billy Young, Tom Best, Tom Williams and Dave Irvine scored Canterbury’s other tries in the win over Westcliff while Frank Reynolds landed six conversions.