GRAVESEND went into the break at Hoe Lane on Saturday with a narrow 12-9 lead, a score line which did not reflect the dominance shown by the town XV during the first 40 minutes.

Gravesend came out of the blocks flying, but found they were behind to a well struck penalty from the boot of wing-three-quarter Rob Richardson.

Putting together what can only be described as the best start of their season to date Gs had the home team rocking as they launched some well crafted attacks that put them inside the home twenty-two.

Ashley Moorey was unlucky to be called back, as he raced unopposed for the line, when the final pass was adjudged to have been forward, after strong running by Bishop then recycled possession produced the space to put him through.

With the pack taking the initiative as they kept the ball close, and the Stevens brothers were launched through with switched ball, well supported by Terry Papworth and Nathan Lines, only to be held out by some strong defending by the home three-quarters.

Eleven minutes played and the pressure paid off as the ball went through several sets of hands, several times before it reached Sox Stevens, who sold a huge dummy before crashing over to open G’s account and 3-5.

Dave Dorton stepped up to add the extra points to extend the gap to 3-7.

Having got the bit between their teeth, with Jamie Harris tearing down one wing and Tom Bishop on the other, there was no hesitation from Gravesend’s fly-half Gary Gray to move the ball wide when he had the opportunity.

The home back line needed the support from their back-row of Hardcastle, Rainbow and Corcoran to shore up the gaps in their line as they absorbed the visitors pressure.

It was again Richardson that reduced the home deficit with his second successful kick from the tee as Gs were caught holding on in the tackle, 6-7 as the game entered the second quarter.

Big hits in the centre spoilt the home XVs usual slick ball handling, but at times, failure to hold on to the player in the tackle, allowed a second chance, that Herts were always alert to exploit, which Gs also had to stop.

More hard running with all of the forwards taking their turn to face up to the opposition, and making room for the young backs to take their chances.

Gravesend were taking the game forward with an aggression and determination that seemed to un-nerve the home side, and as Papworth came away from a maul, with ball in hand, he was to allow nothing to get between him and the line, as he touched down wide on the left.

Dorton’s kick edged past the upright, but 6-12 was keeping Gs in front, and the only reply from Herts was a third Richardson penalty on the stroke of half-time.

The second half was a different story, as Herts came out in their usual upbeat manner for the next instalment. It was now Gravesend’s turn to defend.

The home pack, ably lead by hooker MacNamee, who, by the final whistle, could easily have been named man of the match, were soon in control, and within five minutes of the restart had got in front on the score board as Crompton was released down the wing for a try, and 14-12.

Gs were still in the hunt, and on another day the decisions may have fallen kinder, but as they were penalised for off-side, a huge well placed field penalty took the game within five metres of their line.

From the line-out, a catch and drive by the home forwards earnt Mannion the touch-down and 19-12. Richardson again missed the conversion, before Dorton missed a penalty chance to narrow the difference, before the end of the third quarter.

Both sides rang the changes in an effort to break the deadlock that had encompassed the game. Herts brought on Weaver and Wilson for South and Corcoran in the pack, while Gravesend replaced the injured Gray, along with Gwynne, as they brought on Clement and Curley, the latter going to full-back, with Dorton moving to fly-half.

Gravesend continued to hold firm, and were unlucky yet again as the Bishop brothers contrived a move that set Harris away on the wing. As his speed took him past the final tackler his foot edged the line to deny him.

Despite having a good game at fly-half, Mannion could not get his backs to fire, and it was again left to the lively home pack to clinch the result in the last ten minutes as first Schillachi and then Rainbow crossed for a final flattering 29-12 victory.

Despite this defeat, the performance by Gs today has come a long way from when they met Hertford on the second Saturday of the season, and many fine compliments were made by members of the home club’s officials and spectators and should ensure they are at this level next season.

Next week: home to Dorking.

Gravesend: Dorton, Bishop A, Moorey, Bishop T, Harris, Gray, Gwynne, Lines, Papworth, Forsyth, Mewett, Irvine, Stevens, Z, Harman, Stevens. Rep: Warner, Clement, Curley.