Gs Frozen out by Ashford

With a heavy frost this match was always in doubt right up until the delayed Kick-Off of 11.15am. Having played and beaten Ashford Bs 28-7 at home Gs should have travelled in confidence for the return fixture. However, a combination of injury, sickness and travel deprived the team of 6 regular first team players. That said, Gs still managed to gather a very respectable 19 hardy souls albeit many were forced to play out of position.

The first half was a scrappy affair with very little between the sides. Ashford were more determined at the breakdown and frequently disrupted Gravesend ball which really mean the back did not get going. Indeed in the first half it was only some very determined tackling by makeshift flankers Tyler and Mide who kept Ashford out after a period of sustained pressure.
Gs only real move of note saw debutant and Man of the Match Peter S released out wide following some good play up front . Just when it looked like his blistering pace was going to take him around the covering defence he was taken out by a very high tackle which resulted in a penalty from which Gs managed to squander any advantage.
Ben W made several clean breaks playing at No. 8 but time and again the support play was not good enough and players found themselves isolated. Frustratingly for both sides neither really managed any sustained period of play and the half ended 0-0.

The second half started on the wrong foot for Gs. With the sun and a little breeze behind them Gs were looking to play for territory. Ashford had other ideas and with further disruption at the rucks and mauls (some of it questionable) were allowed to play long period in the Gs 22. In very quick succession Gs found themselves two tries down as Ashford got the ball away from the breakdown quickly and spun it out wide to their blisteringly quick winger who rounded the Gs defence and then scored under the posts. Both tries converted Gs were now 14-0 down and staring down both barrels.

What followed was arguably the best period of sustained play that Gs had managed all game. Firstly, a good interchange in the backs saw Chamael, who had a great game, pick up the dummy pass and cut a line through the home defence for what looked a certain score. Ashford’s cover defence got across and where a better body position may have seen him home Ashford managed to hold him up over the line.

With Gs in control the last 5 mins saw them camped on the Ashford line and after a penalty offence first George B was held up as he looked to dart over and then from the recycled ball it looked like Callum had scored by getting the ball on the post but the referee who had a very good game saw otherwise.

After what felt like the longest last play ever Ashford managed to secure the ball from one breakdown and clear their defences to make sure of the win.

All round this was a great effort from all involved and especially the new boys Oskar, Luke, Chamael and Peter who all acquitted themselves well. Peter’s performance in claiming the man of the match was almost as enjoyable as the rest of the game.

Turkey and Tag competition next week so see you all there at 10am.