A good peformance from Barnes helped by unforced errors in the 1st 1/2 by the visitors.

Barnes' good defence and unforced errors from Canterbury in the first half helped. In the 2nd 1/2 Canterbury got their act together with 2 tries from their forwards then 2 more by their backs before a last try from Barnes.

The visitors kicked high off with the advantage of the wind, dealt with the opposition's returning and also high up-and-under and were awarded the first penalty 16 metres past halfway. They kicked for a line-out 15 metres out and from it started a driving maul. That went down then they recycled close or tight 5 times before the defence forced an error and got the ball 2 metres out. Canterbury won a turnover after the defence had had the ball for one tight recycle; they then had the ball for 6 phases, trying wider, before passing forward 6 metres out, after breaking out of a tackle for the first time. Barnes got the ball out of their scrum under pressure, used an up-and-under and regained then broke out strongly before they passed forward 14 metres into the other half. From the scrum Canterbury chipped over and regained at the next breakdown. They went wide and outside centre Sterling broke through tackles to go to the line two-thirds out at 6½ minutes. The conversion was wide.

They secured the close restart then had the ball for 4 phases passing forward 13 metres inside their half. Barnes were penalised before the ball was put into the scrum. Canterbury kicked for a line-out at the opposition 10 metre line; that was thrown not-straight. Barnes just regained the ball from their line-out and put together 7 mixed phases to get their first penalty 9 metres past halfway. This was run to get another 25 metres out that was kicked for a line-out 11 metres out. Their pack started a drive to the line and got over wide out before 13 minutes with no. 8 Hind on the ball. The conversion was drifted just wide of the far post by the wind.

Barnes secured the restart and kept the ball for 5 phases before using an up-and-under. An error at the catch resulted in their scrum 3 metres from halfway. At this one they were awarded a penalty that they ran; the fly-half chipped over and regained. At their 22 Canterbury forced a turnover and made ground, recycled twice then kicked well to touch to just outside the other 22. From the line-out Barnes first kept the ball close for 3 phases before going wide and chipping over the defence into the other half. Canterbury got the ball and advanced well with 8 mixed phases before a pass went into touch off an opposition player 19 metres out. An error just after the line-out gave Barnes a scrum at their 22; from that they went wide and advanced before being turned over. After a couple of phases Barnes forced an error to get a scrum 13 metres inside their half. From that they put together their best set of phases thus far, 16 in all and well mixed, advancing more than half the pitch to 5 metres out where they were penalised for not releasing.

The visitors kicked for a line-out 14 metres from halfway; following that and releasing to centre the ball was dropped giving a Barnes a scrum 27 metres out. They released to centre then recycled close twice gaining 6 metres before being penalised again and sent 10 more metres back. Canterbury kicked for a line-out at halfway then threw that not-straight. From their scrum Barnes went wide then kept the ball for 4 close phases before their fly-half chipped over and regained. After one pass they lost possession at the 22 and the visitors cleared to touch 16 metres from halfway. Now Barnes' line-out was not-straight. Canterbury opted for a scrum and went wide twice before passing forward 7 metres from halfway. Barnes went wide from their scrum then after two recycles their scrumhalf Franklin had a go close to the breakdown and sent replacement flanker Avis through to 10 metres out. After 5 close or tight recycles the defence was penalised 7 metres out. The penalty was run to the line but they were held up. Following a no. 8 pick-up from the scrum and two tight recycles hooker Garrett got over the line near the posts after 35 minutes. Fly-half O'Toole added.

After the restart Barnes used a near vertical up-and-under that resulted in a scrum for the opposition 10 metres from halfway. From the line-out Canterbury put together a good set of 8 mostly close phases and advancing before dropping a pass just inside the 22. Barnes used another up-and-under that the visitors secured then kept the ball for 6 phases then dropping the ball 16 metres inside the opposition half. The ball was put into touch after the scrum for the halftime whistle.

Canterbury secured the second half restart and started running; after 6 recycles, 3 of which wider, they lost possession at their 22. Barnes got the ball and went wide then the Ref. went back to award a them a penalty at the 22 in centre field a minute and a half in and the fly-half was asked to kick the points for a 10 point lead.

The visitors regained their close restart then Barnes hacked a loose ball to the other 22. Canterbury got the ball there and soon cleared to touch 16 metres from halfway. From the line-out Barnes tried to get a drive going but were held; they kept the ball for 5 mostly close phases before chipping over the defence. The visitors ran the ball back with two phases to get a penalty 20 metres inside their half. The kick gained them 30 metres then from their line-out they put together 34 phases to advance to 3 metres where then another recycle blind resulted in a foot in touch giving the defence a line-out. Barnes recovered from a tap from that but were turned over after recycling once close. They were penalised after two opposition phases. Canterbury kicked for a 5 metre line-out and moved forward before the Ref. went to the posts for a penalty try and a yellow card at 13 minutes.

The visitors secured the restart and directly ran off out of their half; they might have scored again from this but 25 metres from Barnes' line they were penalised for crossing. The home team kicked for a line-out at halfway then threw that too long and their opponents got the ball. After one close recycle and another wide to the blind side Sterling broke through then Barnes had another player rested for 10 minutes. Less than 8 metres out Canterbury chose a scrum and kept the ball in to advance over the line with no. 8 Stephens on the ball after 17 minutes, regaining the lead after having been behind for 44 minutes. Fly-half Best converted.

Canterbury secured the restart and set of running again; going wide 3 times in 5 phases before they got a scrum put-in 9 metres from halfway. After that they kicked to touch gaining 18 metres; Barnes kicked ahead soon after their line-out and Canterbury ran back and again going wide often had the ball for another 6 phases until the opposition forced an error to get a scrum at halfway. Following that Barnes kept the ball in hand and put together 20 mostly close phases before the visitors forced an error to regain possession. They went wide and made good ground before they too lost the ball 24 metres from their opponents' line. Barnes soon kicked for territory then Canterbury ran the ball back before being penalised 29 metres out after 2 phases. The kick took Barnes to halfway then from the line-out they advanced with 7 mixed phases to get a penalty 10 metres ahead. They ran this but soon lost possession; kicks were exchanged then Canterbury ran wide, recycled once then a pass sent Sterling to the posts after 26 minutes. He converted.

The visitors secured the close restart and went wide after their second recycle. Two more recycles sent wing Mackintosh to the line wide out less than 3 minutes after the previous try. This made the score 15 - 31 then the conversion was wide.

Canterbury secured the restart and kept the ball for nine mixed phases before being penalised 13 metres from halfway. Barnes kicked for a line-out 14 metres out then threw that markedly away from their forwards. From their following scrum the visitors used an up-and-under after a few close recycles. That went into touch off a Barnes' player 7 metres from halfway then from the line-out Canterbury advanced strongly putting together a very good set of 19 mostly close phases before being penalised 27 metres from the opposition line. Barnes' kick took them to 6 metres from halfway then from their line-out they went wide and quickly advanced to their opponents' 22. Two close recycles to the blind side were followed by another close before they went wide again then four more close recycles got them a penalty 7 metres out. The fly-half stood as if to kick to the corner for a line-out then turned around and stepped and fed replacement flanker Malaney who touched down not far from the posts. The fly-half added before the whistle.

Bright and dry after some light drizzle earlier; some wind; the pitch dry and firm.