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Sat 22 Aug 2015
3rd XVDartford Valley
Tries: G Curran, D Beazer, B WILLIAMSConversions: B Baker
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Who decided to play a game of rugby on one of the hottest days of the year?
Ben Baker23 Aug 2015 - 08:53
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Gravesend team battle against weather and the opposition to survive an afternoon in the sun
A Gravesend team featuring players from the Trumpets, Gannets, Swans and Moles turned up for the season's opening game on the club main pitch.
Gravesend made a very promising start with plenty of time spent in the opposition 22, before a try under the posts by Gary Curran was converted by Ben Baker. Shortly after youngsters Dan Bromley and Will Garland combined for a well worked try in the corner, before play was called back by the referee for a (questionably) forward pass.
Shortly after, the first drinks break/not-quite quarter stoppage happened allowing a number of changes to be made to allow people to get their breath back.
In the following period of play Dartford Valley spent more time in Gravesend's half and tested the home defence, before an interception just outside his own 22 saw Daniel Beazer sprint 70 metres to score under the posts. Dan Bromley converted.
Further attacks from Dartford Valley saw solid defensive efforts from Daniel Beazer, Will Garland and Vidmantus Petrauskas keeping to away side at bay. Half time saw Gravesend 14-0 in front and further changes from the home team.
In the second half Gravesend were under pressure on their own line for a while, hampered by the absence of competitive scrums to turn the pressure back on the opposition and conceded two converted tries to level the scores.
Following the next stoppage for drinks and replacements Gravesend succeeded in upping their game again to work their way up to pitch before Brian Williams crossed the line for Gravesend's third try with about 10 minutes to go.
Dartford Valley then attacked with a renewed energy in an attempt to secure victory which looked like it would be denied following thoroughly committed defence from the Gravesend team including a held up try. Unfortunately for the home side Dartford Valley did eventually manage to stretch the Gravesend defence too far to score a try in the corner. Their fly half was close, but just wide with his conversion attempt which left the scores tied with a minute to go.
At full time both teams appeared disappointed to not have won, suggesting that on balance a draw was a fair result.
From a Gravesend perspective there were excellent performances from a number of players, with man of the match being given to Daniel Beazer for his break away try and a number of key tackles.
Gravesend made a very promising start with plenty of time spent in the opposition 22, before a try under the posts by Gary Curran was converted by Ben Baker. Shortly after youngsters Dan Bromley and Will Garland combined for a well worked try in the corner, before play was called back by the referee for a (questionably) forward pass.
Shortly after, the first drinks break/not-quite quarter stoppage happened allowing a number of changes to be made to allow people to get their breath back.
In the following period of play Dartford Valley spent more time in Gravesend's half and tested the home defence, before an interception just outside his own 22 saw Daniel Beazer sprint 70 metres to score under the posts. Dan Bromley converted.
Further attacks from Dartford Valley saw solid defensive efforts from Daniel Beazer, Will Garland and Vidmantus Petrauskas keeping to away side at bay. Half time saw Gravesend 14-0 in front and further changes from the home team.
In the second half Gravesend were under pressure on their own line for a while, hampered by the absence of competitive scrums to turn the pressure back on the opposition and conceded two converted tries to level the scores.
Following the next stoppage for drinks and replacements Gravesend succeeded in upping their game again to work their way up to pitch before Brian Williams crossed the line for Gravesend's third try with about 10 minutes to go.
Dartford Valley then attacked with a renewed energy in an attempt to secure victory which looked like it would be denied following thoroughly committed defence from the Gravesend team including a held up try. Unfortunately for the home side Dartford Valley did eventually manage to stretch the Gravesend defence too far to score a try in the corner. Their fly half was close, but just wide with his conversion attempt which left the scores tied with a minute to go.
At full time both teams appeared disappointed to not have won, suggesting that on balance a draw was a fair result.
From a Gravesend perspective there were excellent performances from a number of players, with man of the match being given to Daniel Beazer for his break away try and a number of key tackles.
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