GRAVESEND powered their way back from a first half deficit to claim a well-deserved 24-23 victory over Elthamians in the Kent Cup final at Foxbury Road on Sunday.

With their considerable contingent of overseas players, Elthamians were looking to rescue some respectability from what has, for them, been a mediocre season.

Starting the faster they were on the board within the first minute, when Gs were penalised for not releasing, with the penalty well within Raynor Parkinson’s range his kick took the first three points.

Elthamians saw No8 Danie Van Der Heever replaced on eighteen minutes and a reshuffle put Mark Adams on the flank, Mark Cheetham in at lock with Charlie Sheppheard moving to 8.

A fairly scrappy display from both teams saw stalemate on the field, but the best of the rugby, such as it was, brought several opportunities for Gs go astray until Jon Clement made his own room to touch down for a try, following good forward pressure near the five metre line.

Dave Dorton stepped up and made sure of the extras with a huge kick and 3-7 on 29 minutes.

Parkinson was again on target from a penalty kick that narrowed the tie to 6-7 after 38 minutes.

With 40 minutes on the clock, it looked as if this defensive dual was going the way of the visitors, until fly-half Barry De Jagger took full advantage of a lapse in the Gs line to chase in and take another five points.

Again full back Parkinson added the kick for 13-7.

To add to Gs misery, Elthamians again came off best as the ball went loose, quickest up were the home backs.

With the strong running Prince Moyo receiving a good pass, his strength saw him brush aside the tackles to touch down.

The last kick of the half was again Parkinson’s as he took the lead to 20-7.

Strong motivational talk at the break saw Gravesend come out determined to put the late first half lapses behind them.

It was just two minutes before the forwards earned Dorton the chance to narrow which he duly did with a well struck kick from 35m out on the left.

Gravesend’s pack were again quick to take the game back to the opposition’s half from the drop out, and just four more minutes and Dorton was again called up as Es were penalised at the breakdown.

Dorton’s third penalty attempt brought Gs to within four points and they were now in complete charge of the game.

Gravesend’s back-row worked tirelessly throughout and some fine running from the backs went unrewarded as Bishop was held up over the line.

Harris was said to be in touch as he put the ball down, and again some slack handling let Gs down.

On their first venture across the halfway, Elthamians were given the simple task of adding another penalty as Gs were caught infringing at the breakdown.

Parkinson took another blow to an earlier knock to his shoulder and was replaced by Rob White on 62 minutes and the newcomer was just in time to be part of a defensive wall that was determined to prevent the town club form scoring.

Another penalty opportunity for Gs saw Dorton put the points on the board to narrow the lead to 23-19.

Such was Gs superiority that Elthamians were restricted to their own half for 95 per-cent of the second half.

To their credit, Es held firm until strong driving at a number of set pieces just short of the line saw Sox Stevens force the ball down and give Gravesend the lead for the first time.

Heartbreak was just four minutes away for the home XV who had used all their experience, both legal and otherwise, to keep Gs repelled from their line.

Gs kept possession for most of the last few minutes, driving forward and keeping the ball close to the pack as they won a series of set pieces and second phase, and as the clock ran past the added six minutes, skipper Jamie Forsyth kicked for touch and the final whistle.

A hard won victory that brought Gravesend’s town club an historic League Champions and cup double, its finest achievement in more than 130 years.

Ten of Gravesend’s first XV have been given their chance to earn County honours as they have been included in the Kent squad for the forthcoming County Championship fixtures.

Today’s team: D Dorton, S Curley, T Bishop, A Moorey, J Harris, G Gray, J Clement, N Lines, T Papworth, J Forsyth, Z Stevens, D Abbey, M Clement , R Hussey, S Stevens. Reps: E White, DIrvine, J Smith, T Whitehead