Islanders run in five

The question that has to be asked, is how many phases without success do you go through before releasing the ball along a line that has a two man overlap? Answer, how ever many it takes before losing possession.
Gravesend know that there is no escape from relegation this season but still decided to play the same unsuccessful tactics that have seen them lose so many games that may well have been won had the "stubborn forwards" only released the ball to the backs when there were wide open opportunities to run in a score.
Many good phases of play and the lions share of possession, was accompanied by a weakness in defence in the centre of the park that enabled the "Raiders" run in in four of the five home tries, and finish with a flattering total 31-3.
One thing that does stand out, there is never a lack commitment shown during the game, but there is sometimes a lack of imagination with the ball in possession.
There were many great snatches of rugby when Gss went forward with ball in hand and then recycled in a timely manner, some great line breaks by Okenla, Barbour, Bird and Marshall and it came to nothing as Gss could not finish any of their moves.
It would be more understandable if Gss were not putting in some entertaining rugby on the park, but it can clearly be seen that there is talent out there, that just needs to be given the confidence to get the results that have cruelly been missing this season.
The bright spot of the weekend was the inclusion of the 2nd XV in this double away fixture, and with a number of absentees, players from the academy were included, and they experienced a win on their first senior game for Gravesend, coming off the park 12-29 victors. There was also a welcome return to the park for Charlie Cutting who has been sidelined since sustaining a major knee injury in the first game of the 2014/15 season.