Gravesend secure place in final!!!

Sidcup 38 - Gravesend 41

In a remarkable game of rugby in the Papa Johns Community Shield Gravesend edged a strong Sidcup team to book their place in the Final.

From the outset Sidcup’s much larger set of forward used their size to good effect dominating the early scrum exchanges and taking control of field position. It was nor surprise when they opened the scoring following following another scrum which allowed the forward to gather and take the ball over.

This was the wake-up call Gravesend needed not least as to that point they were guilty of paying their hosts too much respect. From that point on though Gravesend wrestled control by using a good combination of forwards play and some scintillating backs moves. The Gs scored four unanswered tries through Samraj Chahal, Jamie Fautley x2 and Harry Brooker which combined with the faultless boot of Josh Smith gave Gravesend a 28-7 lead entering the final 10 minutes of the half. Sidcup bounced back and scored two tries of their own, one of which was a flowing team score and closed the gap to 28-21 at Half Time.

The second half saw most of the early play camped in the Gravesend third of the pitch as Sidcup tried time and time again to break down the door. Having resisted without scoring Gravesend did make a foray into the Sidcup half and were rewarded with another Josh Smith Penalty (31-21).

Gravesend allowed Sidcup back in the game after conceding a needless penalty which lead from the following line out to the Sidcup forwards scoring out wide. A fine conversion and a further penalty on the stroke of full time saw the scores level at 31-31. Law books were checked and it was on to 10 minutes each way in extra time. For the first time since the start of the game it was Sidcup who took the lead when the Gravesend defence was breached and with the extras it was the home side that lead 38-31.

The Gravesend side already reeling from a number of absentees and injuries dug deep and in the second half of extra-time manage to score another fine try which was scored by Andrew Cooke. With the conversion added scores were once again level and it looked like the game may be heading to penalty kicks when a Sidcup pass went to ground and ended up with th home side infringing. Josh Smith stood up to knock the ball over and give Gravesend a 41-38 lead. Despite one or two worthwhile attacks it ultimately proved too much for Sidcup and Gravesend managed to hold out.

Next week sees Gravesend head off to Shaftesbury Park near Bristol for the Final against Newbury Blues. Coaches and travel are booked - if you would like a place on the supporters coach please email travel.grfc@gmail.com