Pat Sykes goes over for one of Canterbury's four tries against Dings on Saturday

An impressive first-half display helped Canterbury to a 24-8 home win over Dings Crusaders in National League 3 South on Saturday.

All the city club's points came before the break, when they scored four cracking tries, but the power and quality of their tackling made sure Dings were never allowed back into the game,

It was the perfect send-off for wing Andy Pratt, making his last appearance in front of the Merton Lane crowd before retiring, who crowned a 15-year career with his side's the fourth try.

Scrum half Luke Harding scored two tries with Pat Sykes also crossing the line after good work from fly half Ben Thomas.

Gert De Kock added two conversions and all Dings were able to muster before the interval was a short-range try from skipper Mike Panoho.

The visitors lost prop Tim Brockett to a yellow card before half time but, surprisingly, there were no more points for the city club although the quality of the rugby remained high.

They created enough chances in the second half but Dings' skilful resistance and ball winning, together with poor finishing, combined to frustrate them.

De Kock hit a post with an early penalty shot but the only score of the half came from the boot of Adam Westall.

His long range penalty goal coincided with a yellow card for Canterbury skipper Chris Hinkins but even with a numerical advantage Dings, despite enjoying their best spell of pressure, failed to break the city club's outstanding defenders.