It was Juddians’ defence that kept their line secure, and their backs who made the most of their limited possession to run in six tries, albeit three of these in the last ten minutes.
Having fought a closely contested Kent Cup final at the end of last season, where Gravesend squeezed a narrow victory, and are currently suffering from an extensive injury list.
Fielding a number of additions to their squad from last season, Juddians started with a confidence they deserved from only one league loss to date.
The home teams hopes were high as they ran in their first score following a collect and carry from the lively Mase Leulunui who made ground into Gs twenty-two before feeding John Tabrett to touch-down.
Gravesend were playing with a self belief that has been missing of late, and their slick flat passing was much appreciated by the rugby loving crowd.
Judds were being forced to defend as time and again Gs threatened their line, three penalties in succession as the home side slipped off-side, Josh Smith successful from one, narrowed the score to 5-3 before the end of the first quarter.
Gravesend launched attack on attack as good ball from the pack was fed by Jon Clement to Gary Gray who often looped round to join with Sam Hall running in from full-back.
Josh Smith and Scott Curley in the centres were running straight at their opposite numbers, but despite coming close on numerous occasions, Judds’ Maginot Line like defence held firm.
When they looked to have breached the line as Adam Bishop was sent flying forward, the young winger slipped in the mud and was bundled into touch.
Judds made the most of their scraps and with ball in hand always looked to be dangerous, and this proved so as Tabrett crossed for his second try.
Charlie Harding, having missed three earlier kicks, was successful with a penalty to increase the home lead to 13-3 at the interval.
Scrum-half Brett Hamlin was ever awake to the half opportunity, and as the ball went lose at a scrappy line-out, he seized the chance to get loose head Jimmy Stanford away and the heavy-weight prop did the rest.
Seven minutes later and as Judds were again forced to defend it was Stanford that was shown the yellow card as he denied Gs the scoring opportunity.
18-3 behind and Gs lost Chris Anstey with a injury to his hand, to be replaced by veteran and sometime Mole, Ralph Walpole. True to the spirit of Gravesend, he acquitted himself well.
Although much of the game was played in home territory, the defensive qualities of Tonbridge Juddians was the backbone of the team.
Gravesend lost Ziggy Stevens to a yellow for playing the ball from an off-side position but Gs held out until the last ten minutes, when tries for Stanford, Tabrett and Harding with the latter adding one conversion took the score to 35-3.
With no league games next week, Gravesend enter the rest period knowing that if they perform similar to this one they will be back to winning ways before too long.
Gravesend: Sam Hall, Adam Bishop, Scott Curley, Josh Smith, Tom Goss, Gary Gray, Jon Clement, Nathan Lines, Warren McKee, Chris Anstey, Dave Irvine, Reuben Potaka, Tomas Ford, Ziggy Stevens, Sox Stevens. Rep: Jon Luck, Ralph Walpole, Jamie Gwynne.
