32 -5 victory for the Gannets

Following on from last weeks impressive win, the Gannets assembled at Gravesend with hopes of building on the positive points from the previous weeks performance. Things already looked better when they were able to get 17 players together, with tough selection choices to be made to decide on a starting 15. Craig Duvana kept his place in the front row following an impressive performance last week, leaving Mitchell Dorsett to make his impact from the bench; based only on the fact he was the last of the front row to turn up. Good performances from both again in this match will make selection difficult in the weeks to come! There was also a first appearance for the Gannets for Carl Lund, who also showed that he will be more than able to step up to this level when required and will be pushing the established Gannets wingers for their spot.

As the match got underway the Gannets made good progress through their backs and forwards. Impressive carrying from Dan Grant and Will Garland in the centres saw them made ground before Dan Grant was able to touch down in the corner for the first try. Ben Baker missed the first of many kicks with the conversion.

Maidstone continued to compete well at the breakdown, disrupting a lot of the Gannets play in the rucks and they were able to build a number of solid phases to challenge the Gannets defence. They were unfortunate later in the half that a spilt ball in their own half was hacked through and collected by Dan Bromley, who scored with a (unnecessary) swan dive, under the posts. The conversion made the score 12-0.

Shortly before half time, Dan Grant made another break and looked set to score in the corner before good defence from the Maidstone side forced him out at the corner and left Dan with a bloodied head. Oliver Karabardak come on in his place to fill in, in the centres. There was still enough time in the half for the Gannets to turn over possession from Maidstone and work the ball quickly down the back line for Vidmantus Petrauskas to score in the corner to end the half 19 points in the lead.

With Dan Grant resting his cut head and Toby Pearce injuring his ankle, the same 15 began the second half for Gravesend that ended the first, albeit with uncontested scrums following the loss of one of Maidstone's front row players.

From a scrum near the centre of the pitch Gravesend were able to move the ball wide for Vidmantus Petrauskas to run in from 50 metres, beating a number of defenders on his way to the line. Dan Bromley was successful with the conversion.

Maidstone continued to make the most of their opportunities and carried the ball well through their forwards and centres, threatening to come back into the game with a try that they were unlucky not to convert.

Fortunately for Gravesend they were able to raise their game again and scored a contender for try of the season. They managed to steal the ball from Maidstone deep in their own half and moved the ball wide to Carl Lund who made a good break to get Gravesend back on the front foot. After a few more phases and further breaks from Will Garland, Ralph Walpole and Rich Snapoe, Dan Bromley was in support to touch down for the try. The ball might well have passed through the hands of each player before it was carried over the line, demonstrating the excellent support and commitment that has shone through in the last couple of Gannets performances.

There was still time for Carl Lund to be denied a try following another break for a double movement, before Will Garland was on hand to finish another good move in the corner to make the score 34-5, which was how the match finished.

The Gannets are hopefully now ready for the league season to get underway next weekend, with a home fixture against Old Williamsonians, and the return of Matt Clarke's match reports! A number of them will also be running out on Wednesday evening for the traditional match against Cookham Wood under the floodlights at GRFC.