Gravesend lose at home

Unfortunately the hard work on the pitch by many of the players was let down as they were unable to get over the final hurdle.
Gss had enjoyed the better of the ball, and had displayed an open running game that has been missing of late. Good supply from the top of the line coupled with a speedy well directed service from Bradley Smith saw Gss take the game to their opposition, but still went behind to a penalty from Aussie, Lachlan Valentine after seventeen minutes.
The good ball and driving from the forwards ensured that the lead didn't stay with Bracknell for long as hooker Zac Lewis was driven over for a try wide out for 5-3.
Gss came close on several occasions and were creating chances but were met with a dour Bracknell defensive line who were keen to keep their line in tact at any cost. The score remained this close at the half time whistle.
Eleven minutes after the break and Gss at last made enough room on the wide outside for Rhys Betts to dive through to touch down.
The conversion was again missed but Gss moved on with a 10-3 advantage.
Twice before the end of the third quarter Gss defence was found to be lacking, an area of concern all season, and they quickly found that the opposition had scored two tries one of which was converted and the score now stood at 10-15.
Twenty minutes left on the clock and plenty to play for but the next score again went the wrong way as Bracknell added a penaly for 10-18.
Gravesend continued to get into the opposition twenty-two, but managed to drop the ball, knock-on, or just have the ball taken from them, but they could not score.
Gravesend rang the changes at hooker and scrum half, taking off two of the better performing players, and the old addage of if its not broke don't mend it came to mind. Not to say the replacements were lacking, far from it, but the service out to the backs was slowed and the decision making went to pieces.
We all know that their is never a guarantee of winning your own ball and keeping it at a line out, but when the opposition are reduced to thirteen and your scrummage has been driving well, there really should be only one option. Needless to say the ball was lost during the line-out, but there was still nearly ten minutes to play against thirteen players.
Overlaps were ignored and scoring chances missed, but for the players who had worked their hearts out on the park saw no reward for their efforts.
The regular spectators have become accustomed to seeing games that should have resulted in a win for Gss lost, but not to better teams.
Many of the loyal supporters that have been at almost all of the games over the last few seasons will continue to support the club in Guernsey next week and no doubt next season in London 1 South East.