By David Haigh

A 49-21 win over Worthing made it three National League 2 East victories from three for Canterbury - making it their best start to a campaign in several seasons.

The city side - joint top of the table with Tonbridge Juddians and Guernsey - made a statement of intent as early as the third minute with a try under the posts from Harvey Furneaux. It was the first of seven for the hosts after No.8 Tyler Oliver, playing his 100th game for the club, made the initial dent in the defence.

Frank Reynolds, faultless from the tee all afternoon, converted and although a couple of penalty goals by Charlie Spencer kept the visitors in touch, by half-time Canterbury had stretched away with another three tries and secured a bonus point.

An obstruction, a penalty and a catch and drive joined and finished by wing Garry Jones brought the second touchdown, and when Worthing's Kieran Tomlinson was yellow-carded they paid the price. The extra space was quickly exploited with a try for centre Will Waddington and although Spencer landed his third penalty goal, Canterbury had something spectacular up their sleeves.

A minute before the break scrum-half Tom Williams found space and pace near his own 22 area and arced round the defence for the outstanding score of the day which pushed the lead to 28-9.

Faced with an uphlll task, Worthing produced their own bit of magic four minutes into the second half. Canterbury were in full attack mode when they spilled the ball in the shadow of the posts and Worthing skipper Jack Forrest made a punishing break before Spencer scored at the other end and converted his try.

Soon, however, the home team were building further pressure and this time they made no mistake as Williams went blind from a maul and sent Jones over for his second touchdown.

A yellow card for Furneaux handed Worthing the chance of a catch-and-drive score for Jimmy Staples, but Canterbury's control of possession gave them the taste for more as Waddington collected a Reynolds chip and opened the way for wing Max Campbell to sprint clear for his first league try.

Flanker Chad Thomas powered across the line from close range for the final touchdown and table-topping Canterbury now face their sternest challenge when they fly to Guernsey on Saturday to meet another unbeaten side.

Canterbury: Young, Jones, Moss, Waddington, Heatherley, Reynolds, Williams, Frostick, O'Donoghue, Herriott, Irvine, Rogers, Furneaux, Oliver. Replacements, Cooper, Morris, Morgan, Thomas, Campbell