By David Haigh

Early errors were to prove costly for an off-colour Canterbury, who failed to score a point in the second half in their 22-13 National League 2 East defeat at home to Barnes.

The visitors pounced on mistakes in the first 10 minutes to score two of their three tries, and although they reached half-time only six points in front, shrewd game management helped to earn them the win.

The omens were not promising for Canterbury when centre Frank Morgan was injured in the pre-match warm-up, forcing a hasty reshuffle of the back division. When the game did get under way Barnes stole the first lineout, won a penalty and skipper Rory Kassapian's try put them ahead after only three minutes.

A dropped ball quickly gave them another foothold and a penalty for a high tackle ended in a driving maul and a try for Lewis Jones, converted by Jack Martin.

Canterbury had hardly been seen at this point but found a way back after 15 minutes, building their first real pressure before spreading the attack wide where Kurt Heatherly sent Alfie Orris across in the corner. Frank Reynolds brought more cheer with a conversion from the touchline and it was his boot that promised to open up second-half opportunities.

Before he obliged with two penalty goals, however, there was further trouble. A penalty conceded at the scrum, an area where Barnes mostly had the edge, put Canterbury under the pump again and dragging down a maul illegally on their own line cost seven points from a penalty try.

That still left them slight favourites in the second half and only a great cover tackle denied Garry Jones an early try. Then a turnover seemed certain to bring a score but Canterbury blew the chance and, in persistent rain, the match developed into an untidy battle of wills.

Barnes claimed an equal share of territory and Canterbury's commendable defensive efforts denied them a bonus-point try, but In the debit column they scrambled for ideas in attack and 12 minutes from the end Martin kicked a simple penalty goal to leave the city side needing two scores to grab a win.

The lack of bite and an effective strategy in the face of determined tacklers meant they could not even manage one, so they drop to sixth in the table and return to action at Old Albanian on November 9.

Canterbury: Heatherley, Williams, Jones, Waddington, Orris, Reynolds, Farrance, Huntley, O'Donoghue, Frostick, Irvine, Stephens, Rogers, Mackenzie, Oliver. Replacements: Morris, Herriott, Kenny, Thomas, King.