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Sat 16 Apr 2016 · National League 3
1st XVWestcliff
32
41
Desperate season continues
Mike CUBITT18 Apr 2016 - 12:59
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With the GRFC Vice-Presidents annual lunch before the game, there were high hopes that Gss would return to winning ways in the penultimate fixture.
Before the game, the senior teams and spectators from both clubs stood for a minutes silence acknowledging the passing on Friday of Gravesend Life-member, past Club President, Club Chairman, Club Captain and well known character in Kent Rugby circles, Trevor Howard.
Starting well, with the pack putting pressure on their visitors from the outset, it wasn’t long before the first penalty chance was taken as Jacob Berthelson slotted his first kick between the posts for 3-0, just three minutes later a second from the tee doubled the advantage to 6-0.
With the forwards setting the platform and the ball being spread to the backs, an interchange of passes between Ziggy Stevens and Temi Okenla saw the later cross for a well taken and deserved try.
Jacob Berthelson added the conversion that put Gss in control at 13-0.
Indiscipline and some loose tackling saw this lead frittered away as Westcliff ran in two converted tries and added a penalty to move into the lead after thirty-eight minutes of play.
With the clock counting down into added time, it was another burst through from the tireless Geoff Marshall that saw Gss regain the lead and go in at the break 18-17 to the good.
Following the break, Gss looked in determined mood to take the game to Westcliff and it wasn’t long before Marshall again made his presence count as he crossed for his second of the afternoon which this time Berthelson added the points to for 25-17.
Westcliff have never been a team to roll over and their sprightly scrum half was always alive to the half chance to keep them going forward and by the turn of the third quarter his efforts had steered the visitors back on track and a converted try and penalty later they were back in front 25-27.
With the outside possibility of one of these two clubs getting a reprieve from relegation should East Grinstead pull out of the league at the end of the season there was a lot to play for.
First Westcliff stretched away with another converted try for 25-34 but with ten minutes to go Marshall finished off yet another attacking move from the Gss pack, and with the conversion going through the sticks it was again to pull the score close at 32-34.
Westcliff seemed to have the greater staying power and with a penalty wide out on the left, and the last move of the game, they played through till they scored, keeping the ball alive until the touchdown. Reece Whiting put over his seventh successful kick that denied Gravesend the losing bonus point to add to their try bonus. Final score was 32-41. The score closest prediction was won by Gravesend supporter Sue Barnes who had predicted the nearest at 34-42 and won herself £75 in the process.
Starting well, with the pack putting pressure on their visitors from the outset, it wasn’t long before the first penalty chance was taken as Jacob Berthelson slotted his first kick between the posts for 3-0, just three minutes later a second from the tee doubled the advantage to 6-0.
With the forwards setting the platform and the ball being spread to the backs, an interchange of passes between Ziggy Stevens and Temi Okenla saw the later cross for a well taken and deserved try.
Jacob Berthelson added the conversion that put Gss in control at 13-0.
Indiscipline and some loose tackling saw this lead frittered away as Westcliff ran in two converted tries and added a penalty to move into the lead after thirty-eight minutes of play.
With the clock counting down into added time, it was another burst through from the tireless Geoff Marshall that saw Gss regain the lead and go in at the break 18-17 to the good.
Following the break, Gss looked in determined mood to take the game to Westcliff and it wasn’t long before Marshall again made his presence count as he crossed for his second of the afternoon which this time Berthelson added the points to for 25-17.
Westcliff have never been a team to roll over and their sprightly scrum half was always alive to the half chance to keep them going forward and by the turn of the third quarter his efforts had steered the visitors back on track and a converted try and penalty later they were back in front 25-27.
With the outside possibility of one of these two clubs getting a reprieve from relegation should East Grinstead pull out of the league at the end of the season there was a lot to play for.
First Westcliff stretched away with another converted try for 25-34 but with ten minutes to go Marshall finished off yet another attacking move from the Gss pack, and with the conversion going through the sticks it was again to pull the score close at 32-34.
Westcliff seemed to have the greater staying power and with a penalty wide out on the left, and the last move of the game, they played through till they scored, keeping the ball alive until the touchdown. Reece Whiting put over his seventh successful kick that denied Gravesend the losing bonus point to add to their try bonus. Final score was 32-41. The score closest prediction was won by Gravesend supporter Sue Barnes who had predicted the nearest at 34-42 and won herself £75 in the process.
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