02/10/11 Gravesend 29 v 17 Blackheath
09/10/11 Tunbridge Wells 10 v 31 Gravesend
5 tries 3 converted, with a hat trick from new boy Tom Joslings
16/10/11 Maidstone 5 v 53 Gravesend
Gravesend run riot with 9 tries, 4 converted
06/11/11 Gravesend 7 v 17 Beccehamians
20/11/11 Gravesend 15 v 10 Bromley
27/11/11 Sidcup 0 v 36 Gravesend
Tries - Camen Mahli, Nick Banfield, Michael Corridan, Lewis Harding, James Deeley, Mathew Callow
Conversions - Aaron Rayner, Connor Davis(2)
11/12/11 New Ash Green - cancelled, no age group
18/12/11 Dover - cancelled, weather
15/01/12 Medway 12 v 17 Gravesend
Gravesend won a fixture for which we had to supply them with five players!
22/01/12 Gravesend v Folkestone - cancelled, no team
29/01/12 Gravesend 17 v 20 Sittingbourne
05/02/12 Gravesend v Dartfordians - cancelled due to snow
19/02/12 Aylesford 12 v 17 Gravesend
26/02/12 Canterbury v Gravesend - cancelled
04/03/12 Gravesend 12 v 17 Cranbrook
11/03/12 Thanet 7 v 31 Gravesend
Kent Festival - 25th March 2012
Pool stages
8 -7 Win against Sidcup:
12 - 0 Win against Deal and Betteshanger
Quarter finals
15-7 win against Canterbury
Semi finals
5 - 0 loss against Beccehamians
Coach Brian Rayner said at the end of play - "What a thrilling day - the Gravesend lads gave it their all and were so close to getting through to the finals again, but it was not meant to be on this occasion. Their coaches are extremely proud of them for their efforts and performance on a tough and extremely long day.
And from a personal note a big thank you to all the squad for their efforts this year and thank you to James Deeley for leading the squad through another season."
Kent Festival 7's - 22nd April 2012
Pool Stages
Well once again into the Kent 7s we went. After being placed in the top four last year for the Kent Festival 15s and 7s, we were very hopeful of a good showing in the 7s this year. But, as usual, we started off slowly and found ourselves behind to Bromley in the first half, in the first pool game. A gentle word in everyone’s ear seemed to prompt a bit of urgency in the second half and the Gravesend Lads started to throw the ball around like they had woken up and scored two quick tries to put a win under their belt. Next they faced Westcombe Park who were up for a challenge - it was a close game with each side trading tries but alas Gravesend came out second best this time.
With Bromley Beating Westcombe Park and both sides beating Folkestone 35 -7 it was down to Gravesend to try and beat Folkestone and boy did they show how rugby should be played. The ball was thrown around with tries being run in by everyone - the final score Folkestone 0 Gravesend 52. The only down part of the day was than Kamen came off with an injured shoulder which was later diagnosed as being dislocated .
With this score we topped our group and waited for the knock out stages with baited breath.
Knock Out Stages
First up Sevenoaks. We had not played them in a long time and soon found ourselves pinned in our own 22 for a long period of time. Then the Skipper who never kicks looked up and volleyed the ball forty yards down the pitch. Aaron and Lewis gave chase ten metres behind the defence and soon both players had made up the ground and chipped the ball on for Aaron to fall on it and score a try (If Aaron tells anyone in was 99 metres just ignore him!!). This seemed to ignite Gravesend and they started to play, winning 21-7 .
On to the next round and Gravesend faced Aylesford Bulls, with a place in the final beckoning. Both teams started like it was a game of chess but soon Gravesend got into their stride and started finding holes in a very tired Bulls' defence. As much as Aylesford tried, they were dead on their feet and Gravesend ran in four tries to one. Both sides shaking hands - after a long season showing respect to each other.
And so to the Final where we faced Old Colfeians. Colfs scored three quick tries but Gravesend dug deep and scored one, then another and then another. Victory was in our grasp and then it was one of those decisions that wins or loses games and alas it lost us the game - a forward pass indicated by the linesman which the referee did not see, was given followed by a try with a player off side. As they say, that’s Rugby. Colfs Champions and well played . Gravesend runners up - it was a fantastic final and a great day.
After the game, Coach Brian Rayner paid this tribute to U15 players & parents -
I wish to thank all the parents for their support this season. A special thanks to the Gravesend lads. The 7s side did themselves their club and, most of all, their coaches proud on such a long day and a long season. So thank you James, Lewis, Mikey, Piers, Kamen, Aaron, Tom, Tim, Connor, Jack, Wills, Matt and thanks to all the other lads who have played at Gravesend this season - here is hoping next year we can go one better.
Thanks from the coaches
