Head coach Andy Pratt admitted huge relief after Canterbury secured their National 2 South status with a game to spare, despite losing a stunning game 56-49 at Cambridge on Saturday.

Needing just a single point to ensure their survival, the city club made a blistering start and four tries in the opening 27 minutes were enough to secure the crucial bonus point.

“I was very relieved,” said Pratt. “The Launceston game the week before was very disappointing. We had wanted to finish the season strong and we failed to do that.

“Getting something at Cambridge was vital because we didn’t want to go into the last game against Clifton needing anything.”

Canterbury eventually secured a losing bonus point with the final kick of the game but could not avoid defeat in a game that saw 16 tries shared between two sides committed to attack.

Pratt said: “It was a bizarre game, very strange. Cambridge are a very good side, though, and will be right up there next season.

“I did fear for us defensively, but we were able to cause them problems at the other end and bring some respectability to the score.”

Clifton travel up from Bristol for the season finale at Merton Lane on Saturday (3pm) and Pratt said: “It is an important game for the club – we want to thank our sponsors and our crowd.

“We let them down against Launceston and the boys are fired up to try and finish on a high.”