Gravesend produced a great display at Aylesford Bulls on Saturday, winning 22-21 to ensure they remained within touching distance of the league leaders.

After a disappointing defeat at Purley the previous week, Gravesend were forced to make several changes.

Aylesford were first to score with a penalty before the excellent Gs' scrum- half, Ben Day, kicked two penalties to make it 6-3.

Play was fairly even for much of the half as first the Aylesford Fijian No.8, Larquebera, scored a try and then Gravesend's own Fijian, Socks Stevens, scored to leave the score 14-11 at half-time to the Gs.

Another penalty and a second try by Stevens from a driving maul gave Gravesend a 22-11 lead.

This should have put paid to Aylesford but they fought back through several penalties and the referee found an amazing 14 minutes of injury time to leave the small band of Gs' supporters biting their nails. Fortunately, Bulls could not score again.

Gravesend director of rugby, Des Beirne, said: "This has left me with a great problem for next week, as several first-team regulars will become available for selection again.

"We play bottom club Cobham next Saturday, and if we perform to our ability we can make up further ground on the teams above us in the league."

Dartfordians, who did not have a match last weekend, play Beckenham at Bourne Road, Bexley, this Saturday, at 2.30pm.