Two in-form sides will lock horns as Canterbury Rugby Club aim to continue their fine form this weekend.

Matt Corker’s team are fourth in National League 2 East, a mere three points behind second-placed Barnes, having edged past basement boys Worthing 29-25 in last weekend’s rearranged game for a sixth win in a row.

But Westcombe Park, who are a place and 10 points adrift of Canterbury in the table, are also on a six-game winning streak.

Canterbury head coach Corker said: “Playing Westcombe Park is always a big derby but they have won six in a row, as well.

“Come Saturday night, one team will have won seven games in a row so there’s plenty riding on it.

“Part of the attraction of this league is these derbies, but this one also has a lot riding on it in terms of league positions.”

There’s a tough run ahead for the city club, who will welcome leaders Tonbridge Juddians to Merton Lane next weekend after their third successive away game at the Goddington Dene Sports Ground.

Report: Worthing 25-29 Canterbury

“These games are only big games because we’re on such a good run,” Corker noted. “If we were in a different part of the table, a lot of people wouldn’t be as interested.

“But after our next two games, we’ll have seven games left this season following our rest weekend, and we’re really into the business end.

“If we want to have a good season run-in, then that starts now.”

There has been gradual improvement for Canterbury in recent years but they are, arguably, enjoying their best spell since Corker replaced Andy Pratt in 2020.

Corker said: “We’re putting some great things on tape, there’s been some really good rugby.

“I think the players are enjoying playing a really good brand of rugby. We have improved because we love defending so much more.

“We know there’s still more to come, we’re still not the finished article, but it’s great to see the players playing with a smile on their face.”

The coach conceded Canterbury were not at their best at Worthing as they were made to work hard for victory.

Their tries came from Kurt Heatherley, Tom Williams and Garry Jones, alongside a penalty try, after they had lost Welshman Chad Thomas (shoulder) early on.

Corker, whose team scored through Jones early in the second period despite having lost centre Tom Best to the sin-bin for a team yellow card, reflected: “It definitely wasn’t our best performance.

“I think it showed why it’s hard to win two away games back-to-back. We struggled at the beginning of the game to be in the right emotional place in terms of our physicality and Worthing caught us a bit cold.

“There are maybe bits from Saturday’s game that we don’t really want to see back on tape. But winning six games in a row and winning two in a row away, that’s not an easy thing to do. In the end, we got the points we needed.

“The boys were brave and, sometimes, went for the seven points - and, ultimately, that proved the difference.

“Five points on the road was definitely the main target, but the lads know we need to be a lot better this weekend.”

Fly-half Frank Reynolds, yet again, did the business with the boot, while Australian winger Jones leads the way as the division’s top try-scorer.

“I think it’s a really exciting-looking end to the season,” said Corker.

“That’s for the players personally in terms of making their own mark but, also, for us as a team.

“Tonbridge is going to be a massive game back at home before a weekend off.

"But it’s just one game at a time for us.”