Canterbury Rugby Club have climbed to fourth place in National League 2 South thanks to their high-scoring exploits so far this season.

Andy Pratt’s side have already picked up nine bonus points – the highest number in the league – with the latest coming in last Saturday’s 51-41 victory at Exmouth. It was their first away win of the campaign.

Head coach Pratt said: “We are the bonus point kings at the moment and I’m pleased with the way things are going.

“We are trying to play with the ball more in hand this season and we’ve got the highest-scoring backline in the league.”

Full-back Martyn Beaumont is the division’s joint highest try-scorer with eight and centre Ricky Mackintosh has chipped in with six as Canterbury have piled up 245 points in their opening eight matches, a figure bettered only by leaders Hartpury College.

Pratt added: “We are not trying to play any more of an expansive game (this season) but the boys are probably playing a bit more carefully with the ball in hand and not being so willy-nilly in possession as we have been sometimes in the past.

“Martyn (Beaumont) is a great finisher but it’s a team effort and guys like Ricky Mackintosh, Charlie Harding and Guy Hilton have all played their part.”

Canterbury take on Dings Crusaders at Merton Lane this Saturday (3pm) and the value of the bonus point victories is underlined by the fact both sides have won four and lost four – but the Bristol club are down in 11th place after gaining only three bonus points so far.