Gees still on track for title

1:22pm Tuesday 15th April 2008

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Lewes 8-22 Gravesend

GRAVESEND continued their top of the table run in London Three SE with victory on a blustery afternoon on the south coast, writes Rodney Baker.

Lewes started the game brightly and within five minutes were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which was converted by Chris Meddings.

Gravesend then settled down and started to play attacking rugby into the wind, keeping the game tight and advancing into their opponents' half.

Following 20 minutes of continuous pressure, Matt Clements broke away from a loose maul and ran 20 yards to score under the posts, with the conversion points added by Will Ballard.

Gravesend maintained the pressure for the rest of the half, but were unable to convert this into any further scores as the Lewes defensive line held out very well.

The second half saw Gravesend take the advantage of the wind and some errant penalties by Lewes to bombard the home try line.

Jon Clement fed the ball to Daniel Abbey, who broke a couple of tackles and scored under the posts to the delight of the travelling supporters.

Ballard again added the conversion points.

Gravesend pressed forward again, but were unable to dent the rugged Lewes defence who kept trying to break out and attack the Gravesend backs.

A penalty was awarded to the Gravesend pack for their dogged persistence and this was converted by Ballard from 25 yards.

Within a few minutes, another combined move by the Gravesend forwards and backs led to the ball being run into the corner for a try by Joe Oxford, but the conversion from the touchline fell just wide of the posts.

Lewes fought back into the game with a good running try of their own, involving Arbuthnot, Bell and scorer Costigan.

These three players had lead their team with strong running and good rugby throughout.

But Gravesend had Abbey to thank for his outstanding lineout work in blustery conditions and the Clement brothers for their defensive tackling and hard running.