Gs secure win and second try bonus

Gravesend's dominant forward play was rewarded when scrum-half Jacob Bacon opened the account with a fine try on ten minutes. George Montgomery slotted over the first of his afternoon's clean sheet to put Gs 7-0 in front.
With Gravesend again on the attack, lack of attention to the ball at a ruck, saw the oval go loose, and a break-out opportunity was seized on which led to the "Stags" number 9, Anthony Lovea, racing in to score close to the uprights, the conversion from the boot of full-back Matt Killeen leveled the scores just four minute later.
Despite the powerful display from the home pack, little space was available as the visitors closed down and spoiled much of the possession, until they were caught, yet again, off-side at the break down, which resulted in the sin-bin for the skipper Joe Clarke, and a successful penalty strike from Montgomery.
Although there was some good handling across the home back line, and at times good forward movement, it was the pack who were setting the platform that led to a try for Scott Curley as he burst through to touch down for Gs second try.
Mongomery slotted over the conversion and on the stroke of half-time added a second penalty to edge Gs away to 20-7 at the break.
Ten minutes of unrelenting pressure on the visitors line was eventually rewarded when a further collapse by the "Stags'" pack prevented a try and resulted in referee Mr Jack Sutton awarding the penalty try which Montgomery added the points to.
A spirited fight back from the visitors, as Gs took their foot off the pedal, and a well created overlap saw full-back Killeen rush through for a try which he duly converted to pull back to 27-14.
It must be said that with Montgomery, Moorey and Gray controlling the middle ground, it was surprising that neither of the Gravesend wings got their names on the score sheet, but their efforts didn't go unnoticed as they cut through the opposition only to be pulled down by a desperate defence.
Gray's chip through added a second dimension to the backs play and the distribution from Montgomery, both left and right produced ample opportunities. The pace of Gravesend's game left the visitors nonplussed as they failed to cope with it.
A second sin-binning, this time to front row Nick Lovell, forced the scrummage to go non-contested, and this gave the Stags opportunities they hadn't enjoyed up to that point of the game, as that was one of Gs strengths that they had been unable to cope with.
A try for replacement prop Charlie Summatt brought the scores to 27-19 but this time went unconverted.
Seventy minutes played and Montgomery added his sixth successful kick at the posts to establish a 30-19 advantage.
A true eighty minute performance from the home XV saw numerous chances made but not executed until Will Meddings, on for the injured Geoff Marshall, crashed through for the bonus point try on seventy-five minutes.
Such was the superiority of the Gs forwards that you could see how much they were enjoying the passing game as they joined in with the three-quarters.
Eli Atkins and Tom Bird were winning turn-over ball all afternoon, and the strength of Eli as the first to the break-down ensured that home ball came back on the right side.
Ziggy Stevens capped yet another fine game from the second row when he forced his way over with just minutes left to play, Montgomery added the points for 44-19.
The last seconds of the game were all the "Stags" as it was their determination to take something from the game, and they finished as they started, with Lovea crossing for his second try and a final score of 44-24.
Next week Gravesend are away to Guernsey, and can be assured of plenty of support as the Channel Island is invaded by the Gsssssssssss.