1st XV
Matches
Sat 05 Oct 2019  ·  London 2 South East
Gravesend RFC
1st XV
26
10
Thanet W.
Thanet Wanderers 5th October 2019

Thanet Wanderers 5th October 2019

James Percy10 Oct 2019 - 19:21
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https://www.gravesendrfc.co.uk

On a much colder Saturday than any fans have been used to recently, Gravesend 1st team returned to Rectory Field after a week away to take on Thanet Wanderers.

It was clear from the start that Thanet had a speedy centre who made a break up-field early on in the match. Gravesend tried to match them when Ziggy Stevens intercepted a pass and made a run for it, only to be brought back for offside. Thanet took the opportunity to open the scoring and lead 0-3.

Against the run of play, Matt Bruce crossed the whitewash shortly after Thanet took the first points and the conversion made it 7-3 with just ten minutes played. This seemed to ignite the fire within Gravesend’s spirit for a while and, ten minutes after the first try, Matt Brady showed his quick wheels when he went over for the team’s second. The added extras extended the lead with the score now at 14-3.

A passage of sloppy ball ensued, which was frustrating to see amongst an otherwise good looking Gravesend team. The pack showed strength against the head with a promising drive, but Thanet took the ball quickly and ran with it, gaining substantial ground. The Thanet centre, obviously put out by the fact that Gravesend had runners (almost) as quick as him, wanted to showcase his own skills and scored Thanet’s first try, which was converted and cut the lead to a slender three points. Thanet were on the front foot for the remainder of the half, a missed penalty attempt for them kept the score at 14-10 at half-time.

The second half kicked off with Thanet putting the ball straight into Stevens’ hands. Swapping possession a couple of times, Gravesend’s attack looked strong when they had the ball, but Thanet’s defence seemed to match them. George Corrigan was judged to have been held up over the line, which disappointed many that were convinced he was over. Again, Gravesend were fighting hard and a steal of the opposition’s lineout certainly got everyone’s spirits up. Thanet’s backs were quick and strong and Gravesend’s sloppy handling errors were not helping build the score. However, fortunately for them, Thanet were making just as many errors as they tired towards the end of the match and tries from both Charlie Cutting and Matt Hewitt - one converted, one not - sealed yet another victory for the boys in black and white, with excellent pressure from Gravesend to secure the ball for both try scorers. Final score, 26-10.

Saturday 12th October see's Gravesend 1st XV take on Wanstead in the First round of the RFU Intermediate Cup at Home - 3pm Kick Off

Match details

Match date

Sat 05 Oct 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

London 2 South East

League position

7
Gravesend
9
Thanet W.
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Club sponsor - Kuflink
Club sponsor - HARLEX
Club sponsor - Hooper & Sons
Club sponsor - Chalk Plumbing
Club sponsor - M&S Resins
Club sponsor - Greene King
PLAYER SPONSOR - Capelwood
Club sponsor - Quilter