Canterbury held up by Hartpury College on Saturday Picture: Chris Davey

Canterbury suffered their third defeat in four games in National 2 South and lost for the first time at home this season as Hartpury College ran out convincing 41-7 winners at Merton Lane on Saturday.

The promotion-chasing Gloucestershire side were too good for the hosts, scoring 29 unanswered points in the opening half and then limiting Canterbury to a single score after the break.

The college side produced a lethal combination of pace, good handling and controlled forward play to which the hosts – who spurned their limited chances – had no answer.

Twice in the first half Canterbury failed to capitalise at attacking lineouts as first a throw went astray and Hartpury poached the second, while at the other end, the visitors showed how it should be done as well-drilled catch and drive moves ended in two scores.

A penalty, a try from a flying winger and a converted penalty try completed the first-half tally, with Canterbury’s Alex Veale receiving a yellow card for the early tackle which led to the penalty try.

Despite playing against the slope in the second half, Hartpury controlled possession and added another two scores before the hosts finally breached the College defence in the final minute when No.8 Wim Bars went
over, with Tom Best converting.