Old Gravesendians 34 v 5 Bexley

Powergen Rugby Leagues Kent 2

DESPITE changes to the team Old Gs maintained their unbeaten league record and were out of sight by half-time, writes John Oxtoby.

The first score came after five minutes of Old G pressure. A perfect line-out and competent handling by the backs put the ball in winger Luke Combe's hands with room to spare.

A further score soon came as Marcus D'Cunha ran from the open to the blindside and linked with Dave Boyer.

Boyer cut inside and shook off a couple of tackles to touch down under the posts and Richard Oxtoby converted for a 12-0 scoreline.

A team effort brought the next points with both forwards and backs giving Combe the opportunity to score his second try, leaving the visitors 17-0 adrift.

Steve Reece marked his first team return with a great solo effort after he stole Bexley's line-out ball and stormed 40m down the pitch at surprising pace to leave Bexley's defence in total disarray.

The try and an excellent touchline conversion by Michael Hodge gave Old Gs a 24-0 lead on the half hour.

From a blindside break, Michael Hodge's chip ahead and catch was too much for Bexley to defend and he powered over for a great individual try.

Whatever was said at halftime had an immediate effect as Bexley decided to play catch-up and stormed into the attack.

They wrong-footed the Old Gs defence and within minutes Bexley were camped on the Old Gs try-line, with drive after drive being robustly defended.

The visitors were not to be denied and the try finally came through their pack.

Bexley were denied vital possession and Old Gs backrow, led by man of the match Mark Thompson, started to snuff out attacks and scrap hard for loose ball.

The pressure reduced Bexley to 14 men as their prop was frustrated and sin-binned for 10 minutes for stamping.

With position secured through astute kicking up the slope, Old Gs completed the scoring with a typical Marcus D'Cunha effort.

The ball buzzed quickly right then left through the backs.

D'Cunha found space and ran wide to round the remaining defenders to score in the corner.

Old Gs next game is away to rivals Vigo.

They gave Old Gs a fright in the opening match of the season and were arguably unlucky to lose but have been inconsistent since the meeting.