Promising performance

Gravesend have had what can only be described as a dreadful season so far having won just two games and taken five bonus points to date.
You could be excused if you came away from the game at Saint Hill Road this weekend confused as to where they have been going wrong.
The team that took to the park this weekend were playing with composure and flair that has been missing of late.
From the start, there was competition to secure the ball, there was inter-passing among the forwards, and backing up that has been missing of late, carrying the ball with confidence, knowing there was a player on the shoulder.
Despite going behind after an interception that then saw the ball passed forward before being touched down wide on the left, Gss came straight back at their opposition.
A disciplined display during the first forty that saw them concede just two penalties to East Grinstead’s six, two kickable chances missed in front of the posts that would have put Gss one point in front, and this would have been no less than they deserved.
Line-out successes that left the home side bewildered, as Gss used not just one jumper, but varied their throw that used Robin Foulet, James Newman and Dave Irvine to great effect throughout the eighty minutes.
A second try for Colin Dickson that came from a quick penalty, taken from in front on the mark, but which equally should have been cleared up by the full back before an East Grinstead player reached it but!
This was turning into one of the better performances that Gss had put together, although the sticking point was the missing extra momentum that would have brought the rewards.
Good supply of ball, if at times a little slow, was met by a home defence line that was so quickly up that they were on the edge of legality, but that’s is how teams get their success.
On the stroke of half time, a well taken catch and drive from a five metre line-out saw Mike Denbee touch down from the driven maul, James Copsey again pushed his kick beyond the uprights as East Grinstead went in 15-0 to the good.
Three minutes in to the second half and home changes were made that brought on Adam Clayton and Tom Parker, then Gss brought on Ziggy Stevens at lock and Brad Smith at scrum half.
Parker lasted fifteen minutes before he was shown the yellow card for blatant interference in the red zone, while Smith lifted the tempo around the base of Gss scrummage.
Club stalwart, Jamie Forsyth, having taken one too many knocks, was replaced by Darius Vailkevioius at loose head, which unsettled the set piece, but Gss continued to compete and get the backs going forward.
Perhaps when the home fifteen were down to fourteen men the ball could have been released to Gss backs where there was an overlap, instead of the forwards trying to get across the line without success.
It was not without effort on Gss part that they kept their line secure until the sixty-eighth minute, when the defence was stretched as Copsey made the extra man out wide to score.
East Grinstead were awarded a penalty try in the dying moments of the game to finish with a flattering 27-0 score-line.
Gravesend should take heart from this performance and go into the new year with confidence that if they play as they did this weekend then they should secure their place in National 3 for next season.