Whilst the Gannets defensive record is the best in the division this season,their legions of supporters were eagerly anticipating the day when they would finally cut loose and run up a big score.Could that day be today against the bottom of the league Old Wills?
Well the photographer from the Kent Messenger certainly thought so as he showed up,eager to get shots of the mighty Gannets in action although it eventually came to light that he was there to cover the Wills 1st team in action against Horsham and was at the wrong ground.
Anyway,could they score a few tries today? Well,yes,sort of although it could and should of been many more but for some casual and lackadaisical play in the middle third of the game.
A strong looking Gannets side took to the field with no less than two front rows available,something which the hosts would be grateful for later in the game.Playing into a stiff breeze it was the visitors that made the early running,cutting a swathe through the Wills defence only to be thwarted by their own handling errors.The Willies weren't lying down by any means and a swift backs move coupled with good position kicking brought them down to the Gees 5.
However a great team move saw the Gannets travel the length of the field with the ball going from backs to forwards and then the backs again where Oliver Karabardak just had enough to steal in at the corner.
Ollie soon made it two tries in 5 minutes following great approach play from an increasingly dominant pack,again touching down in the same corner.
From then on in it was all about the Gannets pack as they pretty much had their way in the scrums and especially open play with the usual bursts from Perce,ably assisted by Martin Riley and that pesky driving maul.Hell,even the Gees number 4 was (mostly) catching the ball and making ground!
Two close range runs from Perce resulted in tries in the vicinity of the sticks because lets be honest,you just don't stop him from there.These were easily converted by Dan Bromley despite having the haircut of a ninja.Apparently.
With the wind at their backs for the second period,the Gannets pretty much switched off for the first 20 minutes or so of the half as they allowed the Willies deep into their territory where only stout goal line defending and frantic kicks for touch kept them at bay.Normal service was soon resumed however as another great team move took the Gannets to the home five where the aforementioned Gees second row staggered over the line and collapsed in total disbelief at scoring.
Injuries in the Wills front row meant that Ralph and Martin Drobka 0.5 kindly agreed to step in for home pack and it actually made the scrums a tad more interesting for final 20 as there was no way Sargey was ever going to get a shove on Ralph!
The final score of the game came courtesy of Will Garland as he fielded a kick meant for touch just outside the 22 and beat more than a few tired Wills defenders on his way to touching down by the posts.
Every Gannet had a great game today but special mentions firstly go to Garrick who substained a nasty looking gash&concussion whilst fearlessly putting himself in harms way and Martin Taylor who was saved from the same happening to his head by his unruly haircut.H's mate Sean who i'm pretty certain does have a surname impressed with some strong energetic running,Lee Barnes deputising for Vid who was posting topless pics of himself on Facebook,with great cover tackling and support play,The beautiful 'Gannettes' cheerleaders,Ben and H and last but not least Ian 'Bananaman' Shuttlewood because he asked me to on the way back to the car.
I shall leave you with the enduring image of the Gannets players that attempted the notoriously crap Wills showers,naked and with their groins pressed up against the tiles as they desperately tried to direct the trickles of water over their mud caked bodies.Yes Sarge and Percy,whenever I need to keep the 'wolf from the door' as it were,you shall come to mind.
Ahem...Until next time....