Blackheath U13 41 Gravesend U13 5

Blackheath 41 Gravesend 5

At first glance the scoreline suggests a team outclassed but this is just not true when consider that at half time Gravesend should probably been at least 17-7 ahead!

This was probably one of Gravesend’s finest first half performances. Slick initial handling supported by some quality work at the breakdown by the back row of Freddie, Ben C and Owen H ensured an abundance of possession that had the home side on the back foot for most of the half, with only a breakaway try to show for all their efforts.

The team will however regret 3 – 4 handling errors out wide that meant try scoring opportunities were not taken and with several spurned overlap this meant at least 2 try scoring opportunities were missed. The try scored however was excellent with the team moving the opposition across both sides of the pitch before feeding down the line to Ben Hope who beat the last 2 Blackheath defenders and finished well from just inside the 22. The kick from the edge of Ben's range went just wide and the team came in at half time 5-7 down.

Having not learnt from last weeks mistakes the boys then let a strong Blackheath team take the initiative in the second half, allowing the opposition time and space to come back at them with some purposeful running from their bigger players and using their own speedy wide runners to good effect to end up well deserved winners.

Unfortunately too many Gravesend players stopped tackling and failed to stop the initial break. As with the previous week the boys did not do themselves justice in the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half and must learn that the way to beat bigger teams is to tackle low throughout and have all 15 players on the park taking the game to the opposition.

A spirited finish showed that when everyone does decide to tackle it then becomes an equal contest, as Blackheath were forced to work really hard for their final try. The finish as with the previous week suggests it’s not a fitness issue but one of mental toughness and desire to make that hit and take the game to the opposition.

We are looking like being the Japan within Kent sizewise however if we can match their technique in catching, passing, and tackling we will still cause a few upsets this year.