Gravesend 21-15 Thanet Wanderers (From News Shopper)

Gravesend 21-15 Thanet Wanderers

6:41pm Monday 15th March 2010 in

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Strength of character carried Gravesend on step closer to the London Division One south title when they fought back from an interval deficit of 10-15 by adding a further eleven points to nil for victory 21-15.

Spectators were left wondering which of the Gravesend teams were on the park on Saturday, as a first half littered with errors and poor ball handling saw Gs behind, at the break, to a better drilled Thanet Wanders XV to the one that came to Rectory Field the previous week-end.

With more than an even share of possession and territory Gs looked to be in control of everything but the ball.

Thanet having taken the ball forward, after a field kick failed to find touch, lost possession at the tackle and with the ball moved wide a charge down of Scott Curley’s kick saw the speedy Tom Ash gather and race in between the posts. Fly-half Ryan Copp added the conversion for 0-7 after just three minutes.

Pressure from the ever present back-row, saw the visitors caught off-side, earned Gs a penalty chance two minutes later and Dave Dorton was on target to reduce the arrears 3-7.

Gravesend failure to make quick use of ball, won at the beak-down, allowed Thanet to counter drive and gain possession. Moving the ball wide, Scott Witford was on hand to give the final pass to Richard Eldridge on the right wing to score near the corner, extending the lead to 3-12.

Thanet were worthy of their lead as they were able to maintain possession, although coming under constant attention of Hussey, Clement and Stevens, which restricted much of their field play to the middle of the park.

Thanet penalised again at the break-down allowed Curley to put the ball out for a line-out inside the visitors twenty-two. A throw to the front of the line followed by an exchange of passes between hooker Terry Papworth and skipper Jamie Forsyth saw the prop cross for a well deserved try.

Dorton’s conversion closing the gap to 10-12 with twenty-five minutes played.

Errors were still spoiling Gravesend’s game as they were unable to make the final pass stick to the hands which continually allowed Thanet to put the game back close to the home twenty-two.

With time running short in the first half Gravesend were starting to get their game together in a more positive fashion but it was Thanet’s Copp that added the final points of the half as Gs were penalised for interfering with the jumper at a line-out.

The half-time chat seemed to have had the right effect as Gravesend took the play straight back to the opposition half as Stevens took the ball from the restart.

It wasn’t long before several strong runs put Gs back in the game as both Dorton and Gray combined with Curley down the left. As the wing-threequarter was stopped, second phase secured then spun right by Jon Clement through Gray to Moorey and on to Bishop who beat the defence to touch down and level at 15-15.

Abbey was again performing well at the line-outs and Gs were trying to drive through the forwards, only to take too long to get the ball away, losing possession while in pressure positions.

This failure to make quicker use of hard won possession slowed the game down to Thanet’s advantage and the visitors launched attacks through Verdicchio and Plumridge in the centre. Rob Hussey played a lions role in defence as time and time again he was first to the tackle.

Twelve minutes into the second half and G’s had the opportunity to take the lead for the first time as Thanet were again penalised at the breakdown and Dorton’s well struck kick sailed between the uprights.

The game was still finely balanced as both packs fought hard for possession. But it was Thanet’s want for continually being caught infringing at the point of tackle, that was to be their undoing as Dorton moved Gs six poits clear with another place kick.

The last quarter saw Jamie Harris on for Tony Whitehead (60) then as hooker Papworth went off injured (68), he and Ben Warner were replaced in the front row by Warren McKee and Nathan Lines for the last twelve minutes.

Superior fitness in the forwards saw Gs drive the visiting pack off the ball at the set scrum in the last ten minutes and it was Gravesend that looked the more likely to add to their tally.

One positive aspect to come from today’s play is the fact that, although for much of the play not at the top of their game, Gravesend can be assured that when things do come together points follow.

As the final whistle was blown Gravesend showed their joy in the outcome of this hard won victory which keeps them moving closer to promotion to National Division 3, London South.

Today’s team: Dorton, Whitehead (60 Harris), A Bishop, Moorey, Curley, Gray, J Clement, Warner (Lines 68), Papworth (McKee 68), Forsyth, Z Stevens, Abbey, M Clement , Hussey, Stevens. Reps: Lines, McKee, Harris.

Next week Away to Old Colfeians, kick-off 3.00