Canterbury’s Australian international forward Craig Boyne hopes to extend his stay at Polo Farm but not before firing the city club to national Premier Division safety.

The 26-year-old returned to England and Polo Farm at the end of January after completing the season with home club in Western Australia, YMCC Coastal City in Perth.

Since then, Boyne has scored 14 goals in eight appearances for Canterbury and 10 in his last four – including three hat-tricks – to not only guide the club away from automatic relegation from the top flight but also give them a winning start to the NOW: Pensions Promotion Tournament.

Canterbury beat Conference West champions Team Bath Buccaneers 7-1 in the opening fixture at Cannock to sit top of the four-team round-robin table, with Kent rivals Holcombe next-up at 10am on Saturday and Bowdon to follow on Sunday (10.45am). Both games are at the Lee Valley Olympic Park.

Three points would ensure a place in next season’s Premier Division and Boyne admitted: “I am pleased with how things have been going and I’ve been lucky that the chances have fallen my way. Confidence is high and hopefully we can see it through this weekend.

“Hopefully, I’ll be staying with the club next season and we’re definitely going to be doing all we can to make sure we are still in the Premier Division.”