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Sat 12 Sep 2015 ·  National League 3
1st XVEast Grinstead
Tries: A MooreyConversions: J Berthelsen Yellow Carded: J Berthelsen
7
33
No disgrace in defeat
Sue Barnes13 Sep 2015 - 19:47
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A 7-33 score certainly doesn't flatter East Grinstead as they deserved their win, but Gravesend can take a lot of positives from this first home game
With Mike Cubitt away for the week-end playing for Kent at the Regional EPA Championships, it was guest writers, Jason Owen and Ruth Cubitt that took on the task of watching and reporting for the website.
East Grinstead dominated the first half after scoring an early try within ten minutes through Graham Hogg after a clever grubber kick from Liam Prescott who had an outstanding game at fly-half.
However, a resolute and fully committed Gravesend defence in which all XV of the Gss played their part, often within their own twenty-two, kept out East Grinstead again and again.
During that first period Gravesend's scrum got stronger as the half went on, whilst Gss won their share of the line outs. With Will Meddings, Tom Bird and Ziggy Stevens making tackle after tackle and Geoff Marshall just one of the Gss running the ball out of their our own twenty-two with the strong winds against making it an almost impossible task to kick clear, Gravesend were growing in confidence.
Scott Curley was unfortunate not to score right between the posts after sustained Gss pressure. A yellow card on 30 minutes for Jacob Berthelson for an infringement which was a natural player instinct gave the visitors the upper hand again, but it wasn't until the thirty-eighth minute when EJ Faoofo touched down.
The conversion ( Prescott) gave East Grinstead a 0-12 lead at the break but Gravesend, who had battled well, must have felt that the second half would bring them some points.
Gss started the second half well. The referee, who had a good game throughout, awarded Gravesend a penalty after 9 minutes. Berthelson's kick from out wide hit the upright and East Grinstead calmly ran the ball out phase after phase. These tactics proved effective throughout the second half with the weather cutting back the effectiveness of kicks.
East Grinstead went on to score three more tries via Prescott, Hogg, and Richard Townsend (all converted by Prescott) but a superb Gary Gray pass to Ashley Moorey, running an excellent line, reduced the final score line to 7-33 (Berthelson drop kicked the conversion).
The players and coaching staff, will, and should, take a lot of positives from this game. With familiar faces absent from the pack due to injury and a squad still gelling together, it was clear that new and seasoned players all gave 100% with noticeable high levels of fitness.
Gss supporters should look forward to the season ahead and watching the development of this squad.
One to watch: Darius Vaitkevcius.
East Grinstead dominated the first half after scoring an early try within ten minutes through Graham Hogg after a clever grubber kick from Liam Prescott who had an outstanding game at fly-half.
However, a resolute and fully committed Gravesend defence in which all XV of the Gss played their part, often within their own twenty-two, kept out East Grinstead again and again.
During that first period Gravesend's scrum got stronger as the half went on, whilst Gss won their share of the line outs. With Will Meddings, Tom Bird and Ziggy Stevens making tackle after tackle and Geoff Marshall just one of the Gss running the ball out of their our own twenty-two with the strong winds against making it an almost impossible task to kick clear, Gravesend were growing in confidence.
Scott Curley was unfortunate not to score right between the posts after sustained Gss pressure. A yellow card on 30 minutes for Jacob Berthelson for an infringement which was a natural player instinct gave the visitors the upper hand again, but it wasn't until the thirty-eighth minute when EJ Faoofo touched down.
The conversion ( Prescott) gave East Grinstead a 0-12 lead at the break but Gravesend, who had battled well, must have felt that the second half would bring them some points.
Gss started the second half well. The referee, who had a good game throughout, awarded Gravesend a penalty after 9 minutes. Berthelson's kick from out wide hit the upright and East Grinstead calmly ran the ball out phase after phase. These tactics proved effective throughout the second half with the weather cutting back the effectiveness of kicks.
East Grinstead went on to score three more tries via Prescott, Hogg, and Richard Townsend (all converted by Prescott) but a superb Gary Gray pass to Ashley Moorey, running an excellent line, reduced the final score line to 7-33 (Berthelson drop kicked the conversion).
The players and coaching staff, will, and should, take a lot of positives from this game. With familiar faces absent from the pack due to injury and a squad still gelling together, it was clear that new and seasoned players all gave 100% with noticeable high levels of fitness.
Gss supporters should look forward to the season ahead and watching the development of this squad.
One to watch: Darius Vaitkevcius.
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