Gravesend v. Old Alleynians 22nd February 2020

Surprisingly, the sun almost came out for kick off and Gravesend were quick to make the most of the decent weather (albeit it on a rather damp pitch), taking the ball to their opposition – Dulwich’s Old Alleynians – and challenging them to defend from the early stages. Whilst they did, it wasn’t long before Gary Gray broke through the line to score under the post. With the conversion added, it was an early 7-0 lead for the boys in black and white.

The restart saw Brian Sheridan hold on to the ball in an excellent take, much to the delight of the home crowd who were gathered on the terrace nearby. For the second time in the match, Alleynians kicked the ball beyond the dead-ball line handing their much needed time of possession back to Gravesend. Which the home side made the most of until the ball was very nearly intercepted. It would have been an easy run in to the try line for the visitors, if it hadn’t been for a knock on mid-field. If truth be told, there were too many knock-ons from both sides in a shaky first quarter.

It wasn’t long before Old Alleynians found their feet and quick ball out to the wing saw them get their first points on the board. The conversion evened things up at 7-7. Barely five minutes later and an almost identical try was scored up the same wing. This time there was no conversion but the visitors had taken the lead 12-7.

Despite Gravesend having a lot of the ball in-play mid-field, they went into half time just five points down.
Early into the second half Gravesend managed to narrow the gap to two points with a penalty. They kept possession of the ball and were quickly awarded a second penalty that would have given them a slender lead, but the attempt was wide of the posts.

Old Alleynians had a sloppy 10 minutes which let Gravesend ‘off the hook’ so to speak, but it wasn’t long before they scored their third try of the match. In an unusual move that had me checking the laws, the ball was blown off the tee whilst the kicker was mid-run; he picked it up and attempted to drop-kick it for the conversion instead. It missed and the score stayed 17-10 to Old Alleynians.

Two quick penalties gave Gravesend plenty of possession and the hope was still there that they could snatch the win in the final moments. A succession of ferocious pick and go moves looked to be building towards a score but the ball was knocked on at the last stage. Gravesend were losing opportunities to score and losing the ball. The final score was a hard fought 17-10 to Old Alleynians.

Next Saturday sees Gravesend travel down to Deal and Betteshanger for a 2:30pm kick-off against the team just above them in the league.

Match report written by Fran Holmes