Possible talent, but little flair

With hurricane Desmond blowing down the length of the field, there was no doubt that it would have a big influence on the outcome of the game at Rectory Field, where Gravesend were playing host to Guernsey.
With the elements in their favour, Gs were quickly on the front foot taking the game to the visitors twenty-two, but as has happened so often this season the loss of the ball in a scoring position, then leads to the opposition breaking out to take a score of their own and today was no exception.
When those of us watching from the terrace thought an early score was coming, it was Guernsey who escaped with the ball, and little effort to chase the ball carrier but for Gary Gray, who got in his tackle, only for the player to regain his feet and cross in the corner, 0-5.
Gss came straight back and won a penalty opportunity in front of the posts, but this went left of the upright from the boot of Jacob Berthelson.
On Eight minutes, good forward pressure saw Tom Shields finish off several interchanges before touching down close to the post. Berthelson added the conversion which put Gss ahead at 7-5.
On the thirteen minute point, with Jacob Berthelson laid out on the park, several phases were played on, including a line-out with the player down, which led to the visitors second try to regain the advantage at 7-10.
The game then was stopped for four minutes while the injured player was being attended, before being helped on his way to hospital with a dislocated shoulder.
Gravesend reshuffled their back line bringing Gray to fly-half and Brad Smith on at full-back.
A missed penalty chance from the boot of Scot Curley was followed by a successful one which brought the scores level at the end of the first quarter.
So much more flair and awareness, from the opposition, when a penalty was on offer that they took several quickly catching Gss asleep yet again. Every Gss chance had to be discussed before any action taken, this lack of awareness or preparedness to act with the ball in an instance cost Gss scoring chances and opportunity to get on the front foot at speed.
Better team play with a man on their shoulder allowed Guernsey to offload going forward creating sufficient space and overlaps to score yet another easy try.
This third try was added to by the first success from the boot of visiting fly-half Owen Thomas edging ahead 10-17.
Gravesend backs were still being starved of the ball, and not allowed to show their abilities going forward.
Good runs from through the middle by Geoff Marshall were perhaps the highlight of Gravesend’s afternoon as he and the others in the back row played well. But predictable easy to defend moves around the breakdown, often saw the ball lost.
An exchange of penalties just before the interval saw the teams go in with Gss still seven points adrift at 13-20.
The first ten minutes of the second half saw a try apiece as first Glen Walters ran in for his second of the day, and a try bonus in the pot, before a good passage of play, led by Gary Gray, saw Gss come close a couple of times before Gray’s cross kick found players out wide and an exchange of passes before Brad Smith crossed the whitewash.
Neither conversions were successful, but Gss were still in touch for a point at 18-25.
Seventy minutes and a long range penalty chance was taken by Thomas and the extra three points put them ten to the good.
What looked to be still time for Gss to pull this back out of the fire, but Guernsey were just too organised and with the last play of the game crossed for their fifth try, coverted and a tally of 18-35.
Last game before the turn of the season sees Gravesend go across the Thames to play old rivals Westcliff who like Gss are languishing near the bottom with just 13 points from twelve games. Kick off will be 14.15.