Canterbury’s derby clash with Westcombe Park produced 12 tries and a 46-33 bonus-point victory for the hosts - but the National League 2 East clash was never properly settled until the final quarter.

The city club went into the break sitting on a 29-14 lead and extended it in the first minute of the second half, but were then reeled in by a competitive Combe side.

Going into the last 20 minutes the gap was down to six points and awkward questions were being asked. Canterbury, however, found the right answers through the strength of their pack, which earned a try for Jesse De Vries and, five minutes from the end, a second touchdown by Garry Jones.

The day did not start promisingly for the hosts after an an injury to Harry Sloan in the warm-up forced a late reshuffle of the back division. They fell behind to a try from lock Maclaren Crawford, converted by Oscar Daniel, before establishing control.

When the visitors failed to clear a kick-chase, Ryley Burden rewarded forward pressure with a try converted by Lewis Holliidge. Confidence now high, two more Canterbury tries followed, both converted - Burden again from a tap penalty, and hooker Lucas Eule from close quarters after a penetrating run from wing Max Campbell.

The visitors pulled one back, using the strength of their maul before releasing Tom Burman, Daniel adding goal points, but Canterbury stretched away again. Olly Ashley-Jones slotted a penalty goal and the elusive Campbell wriggled free to set up Jones. It was Jones who set the tone in the new half, making the break which led to Oliver’s early touchdown and pushed the lead to 20 points.

That comfort zone, however,was not to last as Park won penalties and set out to repair the damage. Tries by forwards Calum Harris and Najee Mundicha, plus Daniel's conversions, put them back in business. A yellow card for Jones did not help Canterbury's prospects, and they suffered another blow when a serious-looking injury sidelined full-back Kurt Heatherley.

But it was now that they showed character, getting on the front foot with the De Vries try, Hollidge kicking his fourth conversion, and Campbell making the running for Jones’ second and clinching score. Combe got a last-minute try from Nick Sydororwitz, but had to settle for a losing bonus point.

Canterbury, in sixth, travel to 12th-placed London Welsh on Saturday.

Canterbury: Heatherley, Campbell, Jones, Waddington, Ashley-Jones, Hollidge, Farrance, Huntley, Eule, Macmillan, Burden, Stephens, McCormack, Thomas, Oliver. Replacements: Williams, Boye, De Vries, Rogers, Frostick.