A mid table competitive battle produces 8 tries.

Due to the regular pundit sunning himself in Portugal this week, it was left to me to listen, not only to the Referee for his decisions but the other 30 enthusiastic referees standing on the sideline and include them into this report !! I apologise for any mistakes now.

Before the game some 125 guests dined for the annual sponsors lunch and it is important to let all sponsors know how much the club values their generous support and long may it continue. Thank You. They were joined in the sunshine by the usual and the many Sevenoaks supporters swelling the crowd to a healthy 245 people.

It is today, we say goodbye to Tom Shields as he returns home, but we greet with a very warm welcome 2 new players from South Africa, Divan Meyer and Glen Rademan who both started on the bench for todays game against Sevenoaks.

As the game started, the first 12 minutes were frantic with both teams trying to stamp their authority. Most of the play being in between the 22 metre lines. A missed penalty by Gravesend then allowed Sevenoaks to open up the field and then succeed to add points to the score line from their penalty after hands in the ruck. Another penalty allowed for a Sevenoaks line out to drive forward and then spread out to the speedy Jonny Short to cross the line and a conversion by the kicker Simon Tree. 0-10. At 25 minutes, Gravesend scored with some neat passing, speed, clearing out, decision making, but unfortunately a missed conversion. The only notable mention of the last 14 minutes of the half was the introduction of the 2 fresh looking youngsters from South Africa. As time loomed for half time, a penalty for offside allowed Gravesend to nudge closer to the Sevenoaks score. Half time saw the scores at 8-10.

Six minutes after the restart the Ref handed a yellow card for Gravesend; offside from a penalty and in from the side. The other 30 refs did not agree and were getting agitated with a little inconsistency from the man with the whistle. During the sin bin minutes, Gravesend showed great defending together with good discipline with even a couple of attempts to score ourselves. Once back up to a full strength, attempts to take hold of the game were cancelled out by some simple errors. A clearance into the oaks 22 saw the speedy Jonny Short race forward and bypass some weak tackling which allowed for a pass and a try under the posts together with a conversion. 8-17. Another mistake; not collecting a bouncing ball again gave a simple 7 points to the visitors. 8-24. With 20 minutes to go it was time to roll the sleeves up and with the old Gravesend ethos of grit and determination, the boys got stuck in and the crowd were then rewarded for their loud support to 2 tries in 6 minutes. Good forward play and some real speed and teamwork by the backs and the scoreboard was reading 20-24.
Whether it was the sniff of success or lack of concentration and complacency from Gees, Oaks went direct from the kick off with good play from the Oaks 9, who produced a dummy pass and managed to cross the paintwork. 20-31 with 6 minutes to go. A now nervous Sevenoaks and superior Gravesend team with belief, barraged the Oaks half and success in the corner left it at 27-31 with a minute to go. With a Gravesend scrum at halfway due to the Oaks kick off going directly into touch, the crowd were noisy with support and the team delivered the final push. Nearing the 5 metre line a mistake was made and Oaks quickly cleared away and kicked into touch....Full time.

Yes, I am biased but the better team lost today, not from lack of effort, not from lack experience but just a few mistakes. The future is looking very exciting. No Gravesend regular names this week for the match report. A real team effort. Only one name to end this report, Man of the match chosen by the sponsors lunch guests..............

Tom Shields !!!!! We wish you well; enjoy your time at home, get your visa application in and we will see you soon.