A free weekend proved a welcome break for Canterbury Rugby Club.

The city outfit, on a four-game National League 2 East winning run, would have been forgiven for being disappointed at the news of their scheduled trip to Bury St Edmunds being postponed due to the freezing temperatures last weekend.

Only two league matches went ahead but Canterbury coach Matt Corker and his troops didn’t mind missing out too much.

Corker, whose side host Henley this Saturday and then end the calendar year with a Kent derby at Tonbridge Juddians, said: “If we’re honest, it’s come at quite a nice time for us.

“After four really tough games, we were carrying a few bumps and bruises. We still did some gym sessions but getting away from contact for a bit was really important.

“I think the rest will do us good. In terms of not being able to continue our winning run, that’s something we had to put on hold.

“But, with the way we have built that, I fully expect us to continue performing at those levels.

“We have got some really big games before Christmas. The one this weekend is our last home game of the year and then Tonbridge is a local derby.

“It’s important for us to finish the year in the right way.”

Corker watched runaway leaders Canterbury Pilgrims make it 10 wins from 10 with a 19-0 Kent 1 victory at Ashford on Saturday.

“It’s just a really thriving part of the club,” admitted Corker.

“It was important for us to get the Pilgrims into that league. It’s just helping that team to go from strength to strength.

“Our 1sts, 2nds and 3rds are all in good leagues. It’s helping us to develop players throughout the club and that’s massively important.”

Canterbury will host a fourth-placed Henley outfit who are six points clear of them.

Corker said: “It’s a real test for us.

“We have had some good results but we now will look to beat several of the teams above us - and this is the first opportunity we have got to do that.

“In the last couple of seasons, the games against Henley have been really close.

“We want to be performing in these games, not just with our performances but, also, on the scoreboard.”

Canterbury’s away match at Bury St Edmunds has been rearranged for Saturday, January 6.

The club have been named top rugby club for the second successive year at the annual Club Awards ceremony in Leicester.

It was not the only accolade for the city club on a night when the community game across a wide range of sports was celebrated.

Director of rugby Taff Gwilliam and head of player pathway Nathan Morris were both winners in the Community Heroes category.

It was the second year in succession the city club have scooped the Rugby Club of the Year award. Secretary Sally Taylor, Morris and his wife represented Canterbury at the ceremony which was hosted by TV rugby commentator John Inverdale.

Chairman Giles Hilton said: “This award demonstrates the outstanding contribution by so many people across the club, backed by our commercial partners, who deliver such an amazing product for so many players across all our sections and age groups.”