Double D puts Gss on the rack

There can be no doubt in anyone's mind that will be no easy fixtures in National 3 London and SE and the battle at Rectory Field today endorsed that.
The early exchanges showed the frailty of the home defence which was taken advantage of by Combe as they ran in two easy tries though the services of Tommy Gray and Dave Bonner, one of which Frankie Neale added the extras to which put the visitors in front 3-12.
Almost from the drop out the ball was back into Gravesend territory where Tom Bird pick-up cleanly to feed the ball along the line to reach Temi Okenla, and the wing stretched his legs to outwit the defenders to touch down.
The conversion went astray, but the scores were closer at 8-12.
Just three minutes later and a blatant but unseen late tackle on young fly half Berthelson led to the player being replaced by Will Meddings who moved to centre, Curley went to full back with Gary Gray stepping up to fly-half.
Gravesnd's supply of ball was mainly coming from the set scrum, and good attendance at the breakdown kept the home three-quarters going forward, and it was not long before Gss went over through Tom Goss who outstripped the defence to score which put Gss in front for the first time at 13-12. No change from the conversion.
With Gravesend looking comfortable with ball in hand, but were desperate in defending when Combe set their backs away.
Great cover tackling by the home back row which also often led to ball recovery, as Tom Bird, Geoff Marshall and Robin Foulet, joined the rucks and with Ziggy Stevens leading the counter attacks, Temi Okenla had been given the ball to cross for his second try of the half.
Another kick went astray and like last week this proved costly at the end of the game.
Thirty minutes played and all was looking good for the home XV. A penalty as Gss drifted off-side and full-back Neale made no mistake from the tee to close the gap to just three points.
With a high penalty count against them in the first half it was no surprise when Combe received their first yellow card sin-binning when Tommy Gray was shown the card. Running into added time, Bacon converted the penalty to restore the difference for Gss to go in at the break, 21-15 to the good.
Cameron Barbour and Scott Curley showed strength on taking the ball forward in the centre of the park, and this initiated some good second phase possession for the early arrivals to spread the ball out for the tries.
Just before the break, a welcome return of Sox Stevens to the front row for the first time this season, with rooky hooker Ashley Moorey going off after a good debut in this difficult position.
Gss restarted the second half with Thomas Shields making his debut at National 3, for Gravesend and Harley Skidmore going to the bench.
Good scrummaging and ball retention in the forwards, and Dave Irvine supplying some quick ball from the top of the line-out Gss started the game better than they did earlier. No surprise as again the indiscipline in the Combe forwards led to Dale Bellinger sitting out ten minutes in the bin.
Forty-seven minutes played and Gss replacement, Will Meddings showed his metal as his straight running was too much for Combe as he shrugged of their attention to touch down near the posts. Again Jacob Bacon added the extras to edge Gss away to 28-15.
At this stage one could have expected more from the home XV but indifferent decision making and lost momentum let Combe back into the game as they finished off a period of pressure with a well taken try through wing, Sam Randle and when Neale added the conversion Combe moved to within six points at 28-22.
With Gravesend already having secured the try bonus it is not often that an opposition can come back from this position when Gss are usually so clinical in closing down the game and securing possession, but with thirty minutes still remaining they needed to continue their expansive game to set their speedy wings away, but their hunger seemed to wain.
The future looks promising for Gss, with such a strong platform being in place from the forwards, better things must come as the season moves forwards
Combe appeared to play with so much more desire than Gss in the last ten minutes, and they crossed the whitewash again on seventy-first minute, when it came it came with ease Randle was left so much space that he could go over unopposed.
With clock having gone ten minutes over time, Combe didn't stop playing, and as time went over, replacement Chris Lewis accepted the invitation to add to the visitors score, and when Neale added the conversion the losing bonus point went with it.
Next week Gss take the journey to old rivals Chichester, who have taken three of the four results between the two clubs, and will no doubt be confident of keeping ahead in the game.