Gravesend stutters to defeat

Gravesend came out of the blocks at speed at the Davy Field” on Saturday and quickly recycled ball saw lock Dave Irvine take the ball within ten metres of the line before off-loading to Scott Curley for an easy run in for a try.
Jason Thomasen-Hicks was quick to add the extras to put Gss ahead 0-7 on three minutes.
This advantage was short lived as a fumble from the restart left a loose ball which was kicked on by home lock Tom Ramson before he gathered to run in un-opposed as Gss offered no back-up.
Josh Simmons brought the scores level after just five minutes as he put over a well struck kick from wide on the left.
There was very much a stalemate for the for the next fifteen minutes, although Gss pressed inside the home XV’s territory they had again reverted to the same predictable pattern of play that teams at this level find so easy to defend against as they ran back inside time and again with the ball.
Talented backs were lined up waiting to perform but were denied the chances.
So much pace, from all areas of the Shelford XV that they were hard to contain when they had possession, and their ability to pass out of the tackle added to their repertoire, it was no surprise when full back Shingai Chiwanga flew past Gss defenders to score Shelford’s second of the afternoon, Simmons again added the conversion to take a halftime lead 14-7.
Much to play for after the break, and this time it was the home XV that took the initiative, seizing on a ball that went loose from the drop-out, fast hands and good backing up led to Andrew Scott running through on the wing.
Simmons was on target again as he increased the lead to 21-7 within two minutes of the restart.
Gss seemed to have secured the ball as Shelford kicked forward after the drop-out, but as it seemed to be turned over, it slipped out the side for Tom Bird to seize on and break away.
As Bird came out near the ten metre line, Gary Gray and Temi Okenla followed in support, great inter-passing between the players before Okenla raced away to touch down between the posts.
Thomasen-Hicks made sure of the points as he slotted over to narrow the scores to 21-14, and only five minutes of the second half played.
Gravesend were again suffering from injuries as first Robin Foulet, Tom Goss and then Dave Irvine had to be replaced.
But still they managed to win a fair share of the possession, and at times showed they can play some good rugby, but as happens so often, they slip back into the old routine when they really need to involve the three-quarters more quickly.
So often the second receiver was given ball and man at the same time, as the predictable move was covered by the speedy home backs and loose forwards. Surprisingly there was no injury to the ball receiver.
Chances were made but continued to go unfinished, while good defence had kept the Gss line secure until their fly-half was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes after having been judged to had knocked on deliberately.
After defending a series of five metre scrums, Gravesend’s line eventually gave way to home eight, Richie McIver who pick-up before charging over, Simmons, accurate as ever added the conversion to take the difference to 28-14.
Gravesend’s work rate and commitment was commendable, but their application is so often questionable when young talent is out there eager to impress.
Just the one score given away while down to fourteen players, and at times if the ball had been opened quicker to the backs there could well have been more scores for Gss, but the final nail came in the last ten minutes when a fifth try was added by replacement Lewis Cracknell, and yes you guessed Simmons added the conversion for a final tally of 35-14.
No game next week as we see the start of the six nations’ championships, and Gss take time off to heal.