Holders Canterbury were given a tough test before overcoming Aylesham Bulls 14-8 in their Kent Cup second round tie on Saturday.

Restricted to a mainly second team squad under new county competition rules, the city club knew it wasn't going to be an easy ride but their patchwork side proved up to the job.

The visitors took the opportunity to blood teenagers Jack Davis, Will Hilton and Charles Kibusu and gave a second-half outing to new acquisition Mike Coman, in action for the first time in 13 months.

By the time the Kiwi joined the fray Canterbury were leading 7-3, thanks to a Tom Corbet try and a conversion by Gert De

Kock. The scores came in reply to a 28th minute penalty goal from Aylesford's Luke Cherrington.

Canterbury had to withstand some pressure early in the second half before impressive young centre Davis marked his debut with a strong finish and try by the posts which De Kock converted.

When the city side lost De Kock to the sin bin Aylesford sensed the chance to strike and their backs delivered a good try from Matt Hawke to bring them back into contention and it needed a magnificent cover tackle by Andy Pratt in the final minute to prevent his side a cliff hanger finish.