Missed opportunities cost Gs Dearly

A great day for rugby, spoilt only for the Gravesend supporters by the end result.

It was forecast to be a close game, but from the outset the Gravesend forwards showed a dominance that TJs were struggling to cope with.

However in the three-quarters, Gs never really were allowed to get going as the speedy opposition line was up on the play, that one would not be wrong in considering they may have been half a metre across the offside line,

All this taken into account, Gs were unable to deal with the close attention in the centre of the field.

First points on the board went to Gs as George Montgomery slotted over from the tee for 0-3 after ten minutes of play.

Lots of handling errors from both XVs saw a stop start game, despite the referees attempts to keep it flowing, and it was Gravesend's last years scrum half, Miki Zanirato that brought the scores level as he popped over a penalty for TJs after sixteen minutes play.

Gs were so dominant at the line-out and set pieces, that those watching, from both sets of supporters were expecting the scores to come unabated, but a lone Ziggy Stevens try from a forward drive was all that was added to the score board before the interval.

Even at 3-8 ahead, Gs were expected to build on this slim advantage, but TJs had other ideas as they came forward from the kick-off and within three minutes had not only scored the try that leveled as Luke Giles joined the line from full back, but the same player then put the conversion straight between the posts, for 10-8.

Tjs lost their flanker, Dean King to a yellow card as he became the third offender to enter from the side, and two minutes later Gs scrum half Jacob Bacon made the most of his absence to cross over for a try.

The conversion again went astray, although the ball was struck well by Montgomery, but not well enough.

The extra man advantage was capitalised on as Gs pack made the most of their dominance, but it was an error by the TJs hooker, Tom Murray, that sent the ball straight over the top of the line-out and into the hands of Ziggy Stevens, who from five metres was unstoppable.

The conversion was missed but Gs were in control at 10-18. A further miss from the tee as Gs were given another chance to extend their their lead just after the miscreant King came back on the park.

The last quarter was entered with still all to play for, three tries under their belt, and still with plenty of ball to play with, if only it could be moved wide to the wings, but this was not to be, as Gs began to slow down.

An error of judgement with a penalty awarded near the posts, and three points going begging, saw an irrational rush of blood initiate a quick penalty tap followed by a move that was not, to put it politely, completed, three points lost.

TJs backs were carving great holes in the Gs defence, led by the speedy JJ Murray, and it was no surprise when Richie Bent eluded numerous outstretched hands to weave his way over to touch down for 15-18, Giles pushing the conversion wide, although he did have two attempts.

When Gs were caught offside in the centre, Miki Zanirato, who had only been back on the field for a couple of minutes, stepped up to put the ball over to level the scores, 18-18.

The last five minutes was all about Gs keeping their line in tack and not giving away any penalties as TJs were having a purple patch as they looked for the elusive winning score.

At the final whistle, it was relief to Gs to come away with two points from the draw, but it could so easily have been a five point success story.

The need to finish off opposition of this standard, has been found wanting yet again, as was so evident at Civil Service a fortnight earlier, and we await for the team to play to their full potential.