Gravesend shared the early possession with their hosts, but Beccehamians were first to turn the possession into points.

With Bec’s using the wind and slope well Gs were forced to defend their twenty-two metre line.

After a couple of five metre scrums and some great last ditch tackling from Gs the pressure built and Bec’s bundled the ball carrier over for the first score of the game, 5-0 after seven minutes.

This pattern of play repeated itself, with midfield skirmishes. A Bec’s clearing kick pinning Gs back in their twenty-two yet again, pressure at the scrum – Bec’s were solid here all day – and a second bundled over try and the conversion made it 12-0 after inside the first quarter.

G’s then suffered their first injury blow with Matt Hewitt going off with a fractured ankle. Despite the enforced changes Gs began to hang on to some possession and began to look threatening.

Attacks down both wings, with superb inter-passing and support play were kept out by some solid Bec’s tackling. But gradually Gs made ground, including a sublime side step from Connor Davies, and were able to spend some time in Bec’s twenty-two.

Solid defence, and wind-assisted clearance kicking pushed Gs back, rescued by some excellent covering play from Gs full back, Tim Brennan.

Just before half time, Gs suffered their second injury blow when, losing Joe Danton to a twisted knee.

At half time Gs moved up a gear and looked more determined to make any possession count.

A searing break from scrum half Piers Walter opened up the midfield, the backs kept the ball alive with cool hands and Tom Josling skinned his wing for Gs first try, which Aaron Rayner converted to cut the deficit to 12-7.

The referee then suffered a knee injury and fortunately with another on hand was replaced for the remainder of the game.

Despite strong Bec’s scrummaging the Gs possession looked more and more dangerous. Surging runs and committed support from Nick Banfield, Rory Harmer, Walter and James Deeley kept the pressure on the Bec’s line.

With Jim Bull continuing to dominate at the front of the line out a second Gs try looked inevitable. Aaron Rayner, having been held up on the line, took a quick tap penalty and Bec’s were pinged again for not retreating.

Gs opted for the five metre scrum on the left and created a blistering, first phase try, wide out on the right for Tom Josling to bring the scores level.

Aaron Rayner converted superbly to put Gs into the lead, for the first time,12-14.

Gs now began to dominate the play, Rayner forced Bec’s back as his clearing kick found a superb touch inside the home twenty-two.

The pack and the backs combined to get Connor Davies over the line again but the ball was held up.

When Gs were awarded a penalty Rayner slotted this one over edging Gs away at 12-17. 

When Becs then failed to find touch with a clearing kick, it was returned by Connor Davies with interest.

The backs attacked the blind side from a five metre scrum, Deeley stepped through and put Josling over in the corner for his hat trick try.

Another superb conversion from Aaron Rayner, who didn’t miss a kick all day, secured the victory with the final score Old Beccehamians 12 Gravesend 24.