GRAVESEND are through to the final of the Kent County Cup after narrowly overcoming Thanet Wanderers in a thrilling semi-final encounter.

Such was the excitement, both sets of supporters must have been suffering from nervous exhaustion at the end.

Gravesend kicked off in brilliant sunshine and within minutes had an opportunity to open the scoring with a penalty after a high tackle by a Wanderers defender, but Gary Gary put his effort just wide from 35m.

The opening minutes delivered a succession of penalties, although both teams unable to take advantage of the scoring opportunities.

From the start it was clear the home team’s weight and height advantage in the forwards would cause problems for the Gees.

They were winning the battle in collision areas with some ease, albeit with some questionable tactics which allowed Longdon at fly half to gain good ground with some lengthy kicks.

Despite being well on top, Wanderers were unable to turn possession and territorial advantage into points.

They were guilty of conceding needless penalties and with a big penalty count against them, it was surprising the referee did not hand out yellow cards.

The home team did score in the 12th minute in a most surprising fashion.

Gees’ John McDough tried to run the ball out of defence but his pass was easily intercepted by Macaulay to canter over from 10m out for a try between the posts.

Eldridge added the conversion to put Wanderers seven points ahead. Gees soon reduced the deficit when another penalty was conceded by the home team and Gray made no mistake to put three points on the board.

With Gravesend’s scrum and lineouts under constant pressure, and the back line having to put in some big tackles to keep the opposition out, Gees supporters were feeling rather anxious about the outcome.

But this team is one with massive resolve and they moved the ball through the hands whenever the opportunity arose.

With increasing confidence they began to threaten the opposition line, but stout defending by the Wanderers kept their line intact. From the start of second half, Wanderers put Gees under great pressure but yet again gave away needless penalties.

The opening quarter of the half became increasingly fractious with both teams making big hits and the contact area becoming a battleground for possession.

Gees mounted several promising movements and succeeded in moving the heavier and slower opposition around the field.

Gravesend came close to scoring when, after some good inter-passing and several rucks near the opposition line, a try seemed imminent.

Unfortunately, some poor handling at a critical moment allowed the home team to clear their line.

From a clearance kick by a Wanderers defender, the ball was quickly moved across field to winger James Harris, who ran strongly for 30m and with just one man to beat, passed inside to Gray who scorched over a good try.

With a great conversion, Gray made the score 10-7 in Gravesend’s favour. From the restart, Wanderers regained possession and threatened the visiting line.

Yet again they gave away another penalty, which this time resulted in a yellow card.

Gees were showing great discipline despite great provocation by the opposition who were beginning to show signs of fatigue.

Being a man short certainly did not help their cause.

Gravesend’s flankers Papworth and Hussey were now showing commendable energy and continually winning the battle for the ball in the breakdown areas, putting in big tackles which thwarted any attacking intentions by the home team.

With the game entering its final stage, Gees put together a wonderful phase of ball retention and passing out of contact, which involved at least nine players.

The play switched from one end of the field to the other and finally ended with winger Tony Nolan crossing over in the corner for a truly wonderful try, but Gray failed to add the conversion.

It was now all Gravesend, although their movements lacked a clinical edge at the crucial time to really put the game beyond Wanderers’ reach.

But the home team kept Gees working hard to defend their lead and with just minutes remaining, they hit back with a breakaway try.

From a scrum on the halfway line, Gees’ Jon Clement put in a testing kick from the base of the scrum.

Winger Nolan was waiting for a kind bounce to race away for another score, but the bounce beat him and Eldridge gathered and kicked downfield for Thanet.

Then the race was on and with Gravesend’s defence left wanting, Wanderers were awarded the try wide out before Eldridge failed with his conversion attempt.

Could the Gees hold out?

For once they played it tight and just ran down the clock for a deserved win to book a place in the final.