Certainly no gentle stroll in the Park

G's received a stern lesson in how to play rugby of the front foot. On a fine morning for rugby G's came up against a well drilled and combative Park House side. Straight from the kick off Park House were on the front and you could have been forgiven for mistaking which team had had the long journey as G's fell off tackles and gifted Park House two early scores. Even injury to one of the Park House backs did not disrupt and soon G's found themselves 12-0 down.

G's though were clawing their way back in to the game and some feisty play from Ben Woodbine saw a couple of scuffles which put a bit of fight back into the Gravesend play. Despite, playing much of the half on the back foot there were no further scores and the half-time scores remain at 12-0.

In the second half G's started just as poorly as they had in the first and it was no surprise to see Park House go over agaain to make the score 17-0. Gradually, G's started to edge back into the game and good runs by Johnny H and Zac F came to nothing. Taylor, another of our U13s playing up had a busy time tidying up the seraching kicks by Park's full back. It was though G's who scored next when Zac F picked the ball up from just inside the 10 and outpaced/outmuscled the Park House back line to go over in the corner. George B stepped up and calmly knocked the ball over. G's were back in it albeit briefly.

As so often has happened this year G's get good field position only to give the ball to the opposition through a combination of errors and naivity. From one such occasion Park House collected the ball and after going through several phases burst over (24-7). The fight started to go from the G's and the very impressive number 8 burst over for a well earned try near the end to see the final score 31-7.

All told the boys stuck at their task really well today, and mention must go to the backs who played for most part on the back foot. Up front their were some fine individual performances but at this level we realise that you cannot carry any passengers.

Another tough test next week with Canterbury at home.