Long-serving Canterbury Rugby Club centre Tom Best is set to reach a significant milestone.

Best, who has spent 15 seasons at Canterbury, will make his 300th first-team appearance when they host struggling Worthing in National League 2 East this Saturday.

And coach Matt Corker has sung the praises of Best with a pre-match presentation having been arranged to mark the occasion and the loyalty of his vice-captain, who played his first game for the senior side at Southend in March 2010.

Now 34, Best was among the tries for the city club in last weekend’s 52-36 win at Wimbledon while he also bagged a brace of tries seven days before that in Canterbury’s 36-34 home defeat to leaders Esher.

Corker said: “It’s a big weekend for Tom.

“It’s his 300th game for the club. You can go to every club in the land and there’s probably not many that have reached that milestone.

“He’s still playing some of his best rugby and is really influential. He’s a really key player for us.

Report: Wimbledon 36-52 Canterbury

“For him to reach a personal milestone like that, that’s something we’re all really proud of.”

Others to dot down for Canterbury at Wimbledon were replacement Ben Cooper (2), winger Garry Jones (2), winger Alfie Orris, hooker Eoin O’Donoghue, full-back Will Waddington and back-rower Jesse de Vries.

“Wimbledon average nearly four tries a game so, even though they have only won three games this season, they’re still scoring a lot of points,” Corker reflected.

“Scoring more than 50 points, that’s something we can be proud of. The crucial time was at the start of the second half where we had a 30-minute period where we really controlled the game. That was really pleasing.

“Defensively, it took us a bit of time to get off the bus. We went 14-0 behind and it took us until the second half to go ahead.

“So, that gives us something to work on.”

The boot of fly-half Frank Reynolds also was influential for Canterbury.

Corker noted: “He’s put in a lot of time to get where he needs to be.

“Frank is making massive contributions to the team - not just on the scoreline - but with his performances, as well.

“He’s growing as a leader.”

Second-bottom Worthing head to Merton Lane after they had a blank Saturday last weekend.

But Corker, who’s set to be without de Vries due to unavailability, said: “They have had some really close-run games against teams towards the top of the table, especially at home.

“I think our scrum was probably the difference down there (during a 45-38 victory in October). But we know they really need points and they have just had the weekend off last week.”

Corker’s team themselves then have a blank weekend at the start of February.

The coach noted: “We talk about bumps and bruises, so actually giving players time to rest and recuperate is really important.

“But we will continue to train. There’s things to work on and, also, to support the Pilgrims, who are having a great season. Just having a weekend off from playing can be really important for the lads.

“It keeps their wheels turning over but, also, gives us a bit of a recharge.”

Kent 1 leaders Canterbury Pilgrims host Deal & Betteshanger at Merton Lane tonight (7.45pm).