Fresh from their tremendous win over Dorking the previous week, Gs slipped to a defeat to a Tring who’s season has got better over the last few weeks, with today’s 16-10 win moving them clear of the relegation positions.

Sixty per-cent of the possession and playing the better of the rugby throughout the eighty minutes, it is difficult to see how Gravesend contrived to fail to score enough points in the first half and an equal amount after the break to secure the points to win this game.

Behind after seven minutes as Liam Chennells put over an easy penalty as Gs were penalised for offside, it was Gravesend that were putting moves together to take them close to the home twenty-two.

When Keepa Mewett was stopped ten metres short, the ball was quickly moved back to Gary Gray and along the line, with a miss pass, to Scott Curley who fed Tom Goss to chase over, closely attended by his opposite number.

3-5 ahead but the league’s leading kicker, Dave Dorton, was unable to add the conversion as his kick drifted past the uprights.

With the lion’s share of the ball, it seemed just a matter of time before Gravesend would add to their opening try, but it was again Chennell’s accurate boot that added a second and third penalty before the break to put Tring ahead 9-5.

With Jamie Forsyth on the touchline following injury the previous week, it was clear that Gravesend were missing his leadership, and were found wanting as time and again they chose the wrong option.

Credit must be given to the home centres who tackled with unfailing conviction to keep Gs at bay, and when the ball went to ground, their back-row were quickly there to drive over and win turn-over ball.

The game was still there to be won, and Gs pressed to take the play inside the home twenty-two on numerous occasions only to fail to turn their possession and territorial superiority into points.

Scott Curley finally crossed to put Gs in front 9-10 after sixty-seven minutes, but the conversion again went wide.

Tring never gave up the chase and when the ball was fumbled close to G’s line, and into touch, the loose ball from the line-out was seized on by the home forwards, and after a series of driving mauls, James Stevenson forced his way over to touch-down.

Chennells continued with his accurate kicking from the tee to add the extra points to stretch away 16-10.

A last five minutes of frantic play as Gravesend fought hard to regain the advantage but their lack of direction continued and as the whistle sounded there were euphoric celebrations from the home players and supporters.

Gravesend’s disappointment was clear, but their failure to turn their possession into points, coupled with the tenacity of the home XV to keep their line safe saw a deserved win for the Hertfordshire club.

Next week: Havant home, KO 15.00.

Gravesend: Dorton, Curley, Bishop A, Rocket, Goss, Gwynne, Gray, Lines, Papworth, Warner, Mewett, Thompson, Stevens, Harman, Stevens. Rep: Saunders, Clement, Irvine.