Westcliff knocked for six by rampant Gs

Gravesend 40-14 Westcliff

There is no doubt in the minds of the regular watchers of Gravesend 1st XV rugby that the talent that regularly takes to the park each Saturday for the National 3 London and South East fixtures could generate a performance such as the one seen today, but it has just been a long time coming.
Westcliff were by no means the lesser of the opposition faced so far this season, but they just happened to come up against a Gs XV that had something to prove, and this they did in abundance.
The opening ten minutes showed what Gravesend were looking for as they combined to move the ball across the back line at every opportunity, and if the Westcliff defence had not stood up to their task they could have found themselves behind in the first few minutes.
As it was, with the fluidity of the play from Hill and Montgomery, and the ever present backup and ball winning of Atkins, it was no surprise when the speedy Tommy Goss got away from his opposite number, and as the defence came across he got the ball away to Geoff Marshall who raced in to touch down the first of what was to be a quartet of tries.
Montgomery added the extras for a 7-0 lead.
From the restart, what looked to be a lost ball, was regained, and Marshall was first there to gather the bounce and outstrip the opposition to add his second of the afternoon. The conversion edged past the post, but Gs were in command at 12-0 after just fifteen minutes.
There followed a twenty-minute period when Westcliff were forced to endure a battering at all phases of the game, but they also stood to their task and kept Gs from crossing the line.
Scott Curley, from full-back, was joining the line and ran some good angles only to be held back, Ashley Moorey and Chris Meddings were playing their part in the running pressure being put on the visitors, and all of this coming from well set platforms created by the hard working forwards.
Great inter-passing between the forwards and backs, with the ball in hand, turn over and securing of the ball at the breakdown by Atkins and his fellow back-row, all combined to Marshall running in Gravesend’s and his, third try of the afternoon after thirty-six minutes of play.
Not content to sit back for the last two minutes of the half, Gravesend continued to pressure the visitors. When the ball was allowed to bounce by an indecisive opposition, Temi Okenla was seen to leap for the ball before outwitting the defence to chase through.
Gravesend had secured their first try bonus of the season before the first half was over, and with Montgomery adding both conversions Gs went in with a 26-0 advantage at the interval.
An early penalty chance went astray two minutes into the second half, but Gs were looking to continue the open style of rugby that had been so successful in the first forty minutes.
Great line-out ball and set piece scrummage dominance allowed Gs to have a fair share of the possession but the penetration wasn’t so prominent in this second period, but then Westcliff had upped their game considerable from their earlier performance.
Great defences from both XVs ensured that there was a period of stalemate, but following a full five minutes within touching distance of the home line, the visitors number eight, Sam Reynolds earned the points when he touched down.
Isaiah Mames added the extra points to pull Westcliff back to 26-7 at the end of the third quarter.
It was a matter of straight back to the visitors’ territory to yet again build the pressure and suck them in until the platform was set and with the ball sent early out right, Okenla had the time and space to get his second as he ran around to score behind the uprights.
Montgomery in target yet again and the margin had been returned with the score standing at 33-7.
The freedom and space that was being created all had to be worked for as a tenacious Westcliff were not about to roll over, and Gs were not getting it all their own way, but the advantage for Gs of having Tom Bird, Eli Atkins and Geoff Marshall in the back row was noticeable as they were quick to the tackle and the break-down.
The stability of the front five on their own and the oppositions put in allowed the back three to roam and hunt as a pack while adding security to the centre of the field.
This freedom and backing up was again demonstrated when ball gathered by Goss saw him interchange with Marshall before the later raced in for the score.
Another successful kick from the tee by Montgomery saw him take his tally to five from seven as Gs went in front 40-7.
Ten minutes left to play and Westcliff didn’t let up on their efforts to cross the line and yet another five of these were spent inside Gs twenty-two. Huge drives for the line were met by an equally huge defence as Gs fought to protect the whitwash.
Eventually a breakthrough was made and tight head prop Ewan Binnaman forced his way down. Mames added the points before the whistle went for the end at 40-14.
Gravesend go into a well earned Christmas break knowing that they have put a little space between them and the teams below them, but they will need to be at their best when they return in January for the visit to league toppers London Irish Wild Geese.