It was a rejuvenated Gravesend XV that took to the park for the last game of 2011, looking to build on their success at Bracknell the previous week.
Facing a low winter sun in the first half, Gs were caught off-side after just four minutes and Westcliff’s top points scorer was quick to punish the transgression as he slotted over from the tee.
It was apparent from the early exchanges that this was to be a game dominated by forward play with both packs working to get the upper hand.
As Gs forwards had driven into the visitors twenty-two, it was Clement who fed Stevens and on to Goss who beat the defence to the line.
Full-back Hall added the conversion to put Gs in front 7-3 after sixteen minutes.
Better kicking from fly-half Gray and Curley in the centre, kept pressure on the visitors and forced them to play off the back foot.
Both front rows were taking charge of their own ball, a stereotyped game from the number eights led to the predictable tussle of the packs.
A line out to Gs following a field penalty to the opposition twenty-two, led to a catch and drive by the home pack, and as they neared the line Lines broke off to cross for the try, Halls conversion went wide.
Just after the quarter point good driving by skipper Levy for Westcliff, created the space for the strong running Maiva to chase in between the post. Dudman again adding the points to narrow to 12-10.
Two minutes later and Gravesend’s Thompson was shown the yellow card for an unfortunate high tackle.
Following the stoppage, and Westcliff electing to take the scum, it was Levy’s turn to get his name on the score sheet as he was driven over for the touch-down.
Dudman, again, successfully converting to ease the visitors to the lead 12-17.
Gravesend’s backs were putting together the better attacking rugby, but were also kept busy in defence, and no-one stood out more than Smith in both aspects of play.
Another catch and drive from the line-out and several phases of recycled play culminated in skipper Forsyth forcing his way over and down for a well deserved forwards’ try.
Hall added a third miss from the tee to see the teams go in level at the break at 17-17.
Gravesend’ Lines didn’t take to the field after the break, and youngster Tom Weeks got his opportunity for a first appearance of the season at this level.
A rare miss by Dudman was quickly put behind him as the visiting centre established an early second half advantage for Westcliff at 17-20.
Although at times forced back to defend as Gs errors presented the ball to their visitors, good defending by the backs, combined with turn-over ball allowed Curley, Hall and Gray to put Gs back on the front foot.
Two Hall penalties re-established Gs to a three point advantage and the home confidence was visibly rising.
Again it was the home forwards who were setting the platform for Gs attacks with the ball being spread wide at every opportunity.
As the visitors looked to cover the wide aspect of Gs play, Gray outwitted the centres to race through for an uncontested try. Hall Converted to put Gravesend ten points to the good.
Any break that was going the visitors’ way was being grafted out by their pack, ably led by the skipper Levy, supported by Jones from scrum-half.
Back chat at a penalty decision against them, saw Gs marched back ten metres to put the kick in range for Dudman and he obliged from the tee.
Seventy-six minutes on the clock and Gravesend skipper Forsyth was to end a series of pick and drives to be forced over for the try. Hall added the points, from the tee, for a comfortable 37-23 advantage.
As every phase of play looked to be the last, and incredible extra eight minute was played during which Weeks was shown a yellow card (86 mins) and the visitors worked out a last ditch try and conversion with the last play of the game and 37-30.
There are no more league fixtures until 7 January when Gs travel to Staines looking to build on their recent successes.
Gravesend: Sam Hall, Jamie Gwynne, Scott Curley, Josh Smith, Tom Goss, Gary Gray, Jon Clement, Jamie Forsyth, Warren McKee, Chris Anstey, Dave Irvine, Phil Thompson, Nathan Lines, Ziggy Stevens, Sox Stevens. Rep: Chris Day, Tom Weeks, Tony Nolan.
