Yet sometimes in sport the form book gets turned on its heads and a team with their backs to the wall comes out and delivers. This was without doubt the performance of the season so far from the G’s 2’s with a number of players really standing up to be counted.
With the normal injury list and unavailability the side was eventually finalised on Saturday morning for what is always a physical match at the end of a long journey. Yet despite this everyone was there on time and the warm up and pre-match preparations showed that the G’s were definitely up for this one.
The game started well with Gravesend getting in amongst Dover following a poor kick off, pressure was put on the Dover backs straight away and the first of many early infringements occurred. This allowed Taylor an early shot at goal for what would have been a rarity this season with Gravesend taking an early lead, but the kick was pushed wide curtailing the premature touch line celebrations. But never mind G’s went straight back at Dover and were soon in their 22 again, this resulted in Edmeds spotting space on the blindside and feeding Pratt who tip toes into the corner for an unconverted try.
Dover came back strongly but the G’s defence held firm with Brown dominating the big Dover no 8 as he tried to get his side going forward. More pressure from the G’s resulted in a series of penalties in the Dover 22 with one infringement too many occurring. This resulted in a yellow card and a penalty for the ever impressive Taylor to convert.
Gravesend really began to influence the game with George Gilham and Wakeman running strongly at space and giving the side the go forward they have been lacking previously. With the James Gilham and Edmeds bringing control to the backs and releasing there runners well the G’s began to look an impressive unit every time they got the ball. The pressure resulted in Manbir Mann capping an impressive game with a try.
Dover were soon back to their full compliment of players and began to exert pressure on the G’s defence. With Goodfella and Corrigan solid in the midfield Dover resorted to using their big forwards to crash it up, the G’s pack were nothing but committed in defence though and met the challenge head on. The pressure began to tell though and penalties and territory were conceded as Dover battered their way forward. Just when it seemed that G’s might finally capitulate a knock on in front of the posts with the line undefended allow the pressure to be released. The half ended with Gravesend 13 points to the good.
Due to the clubs injury crisis no front row replacement was available and with the outstanding Rees injuring his knee the scrums went uncontested as Henry made his return from injury in the front row.
The first 25 minutes of the second half were all Dover pressure and with Lewis being carded for a weak punch the G’s were under the cosh defensively. But their commitment and spirit came shining through as they put their bodies on the line and repelled everything the Dover pack through at them.
Dover then released the ball to their backs and scored a try out wide and it looked as if the match might turn But the G’s really stepped up to the mark and played the best 20 minutes rugby of the season. Mann, Gilham and Wakeman began to dominate the breakdown and carried the ball into the heart of the Dover defence, and with Jones providing some much missed continuity the G’s were pushing forward. Following ten phases of play the ball found Corrigan with 3 or 4 defenders between him and the line but he hit the space and drove for the line taking the Dover three quarters with him for a well deserved try.
Another poor kick off by Dover was collected by Saunders who drove forward, Gravesend again kept the ball through multiple phases until winger Raf found himself in space and burst for the line to score a much deserved try. This proved to be just about the last play and rounded off what was a fine performance from this developing Gravesend side.
Overall it was a performance with lots to be pleased with, players such as Wakeman, both Gilhams, Corrigan and Brown are getting better week by week, new players such as Jones and Goodfella will only improve the side and players who have stepped up such as Edmeds, Pratt , Raf and Lewis looked like they belonged in the side and wont give up their shirts without a fight.
Team; Taylor, Pratt, Goodfella, Corrigan, Raf, Gilham J, Edmeds, Saunders, Lewis, Rees, Mann, Wakeman, Brown, Gilham G, Jones.
Sub; Henry
Scorers – Tries: Pratt, Mann, Corrigan, Raf
Penalties: Taylor
Conversions: Taylor
