Head coach Andy Pratt admits Canterbury Rugby Club could be in the midst of a run of fixtures which shapes which end of National 2 South they are battling.

The city club recorded a much-needed 23-22 win over Chinnor at Merton Lane on Saturday – just their third in 11 games – to move fifth-bottom.

They travel to Gloucestershire on Saturday to face Lydney (2.30pm), the first of three straight games against sides now below them in the standings, with the visit of Southend and a trip to Launceston to follow.

Pratt said: “There is some extra importance to this run and you could argue it could turn out to be a crucial period in our season.

“We have a run of three home games out of four after Christmas but both are going to be important.

“Lydney is never an easy place to go, it’s a long way and they have passionate fans.

“We’ve got to nail our away form sometime. We nearly did it at Dings (eventually drawing) and know we are capable of doing it.

“At the end of the season, one or two bonus points might make all the difference. The league is that tight.”

Pratt said his side “did just about enough” to beat fifth-placed Chinnor and added: “The result was more important than the performance.

“Ideally you want both but following the games at Dings and Henley where we didn’t see out the result and the Dorking game, which was a bit of an aberration, the win was important.

“It’s given us some impetus. I didn’t want to overreact or panic when things weren’t going well and it’s not like everything’s all right with the world again just because we have won one game. We have to go again.”

Pratt could hand a debut to flanker Adam Cathcart, 26, who joins from New Zealand provincial side Manukau while Alex Davolls, a Sheppey-born scrum-half or wing who joined on loan from National 1 Esher, could also be handed a start.