Gannets hold on after tough game against Tunbridge Wells

Gravesend welcomed Tunbridge Wells to the Rectory Field expecting another testing encounter after two close victories against the same opposition last year. After an up and down week in terms of team selection everything finally seemed settled two hours before kick off with the news that last season's players player, Dan Bromley, was once again back in Gravesend rather than at University and able to spare the massive no.9 from last weeks blushes by having to pretend to be a winger. With less than half hour to go to kick off however captain Ben received notification that Jamie Feighery had transport issues and Matt Clarke had familial issues. By a stroke a good fortune Freddie Taylor had his kit with him after the Swans match was cancelled and he was able to join Brian Williams, Nick Ormes and Martin Povey in stepping up from the 5s to the Gannets and helping us out.
Once the side was rejigged to ensure everyone was kind of in the right position the match got underway. What followed in that first half was at times attritional, at times scrappy and at times promising, albeit neither side got too close to scoring. A couple of highlights for Gravesend were a break from Martin Povey that seemed to have put Brian Williams away, except for an interception attempt from the referee and a break by Ben Baker cutting into the line from Fullback until his final pass to the man outside was adjudged to be forward.
The majority of the first half was controlled by Gravesend who spent most the time within the Tunbridge Wells half until a lack of calmness, precision or control meant possession was turned over. Invariably the Tunbridge Wells 10 would return the pressure to Gravesend to build from deep by testing the back three of Gravesend with a series of kicks into space.
Half time saw the introduction of Sam Holden, Sean Drabwell and Matt Clarke (who had finally negotiated leaving the house) and the replacement of Martin Povey, Ash Tester and Ben Baker. A reshuffle throughout the side saw Ryan Lane continue his education in the front row, Michael Walsh switch to 8, Will Garland slip out to the wing and Freddie drop in to fullback.
The changes seemed to have the desired effect with good pressure from Sam Holden around the breakdowns lead to Gravesend finding themselves once again in the Tunbridge Wells 22. More good phases, well controlled again by Andy Lane at 10, saw the ball work itself wide where Dan Grant, Brian Williams and Dan Bromley had a simple 3 on 1 to score in the corner. Obviously given what has gone before, this isn't the try manifested itself. Dan Grant played the diversion tactic by passing the ball slightly behind Brian, Brian tidied up and passed back to Mr Grant who popped the ball to Dan Bromley who now had to step inside two covering defenders before finishing well. Freddie was unlucky with the conversion from out wide which came back off of the post.
As often seems to be the way, the Gannets did not manage to push on from that success and credit for that must go to Tunbridge Wells, who enjoyed some of their best possession in the minutes that followed before they slipped around the fringes to score a try under the post which was converted to leave the home side adrift by two points.
Fortunately this was the kick Gravesend needed to begin building good phase play again and fashion another opportunity. Again the two Dan's combined to send Dan Bromley over in the same corner for another well taken try.
For the remaining 15 minutes or so, Dan Bromley decided to take a rest so the aforementioned blushes of Ben Baker were not to be spared after all - especially once Swan-Lee got his new eyes to focus on the oversized winger awkwardly squeezed into the only Medium shirt in the Gannets kit bag.
More good defence and hard work from the forwards, with the occasional knock on or conceded penalty, made up the remainder of the match which saw the Gannets relieved to hold on for the victory.
Credit must go to Tunbridge Wells for another cracking game of rugby, and I'm sure both teams will be looking forward to the return fixture later in the season. It is a success for the league in which we play when two sides with a mixture of young and old and experienced and less experienced players which should be the foundation of 4th team rugby are able to fight so hard over 80 minutes to split just 17 points. Thanks must also go to the guys who stepped in to help us field a team (Walshy, Povey, Big Bri, Nick and Freddie) and to Ralph for being willing to help out the 2s at late notice when they lost a prop.
The Gannets have another home game to look forward to next week, against the returning Leigh, in what promises to be another tough, physical game if their teams of previous years are anything to go by, so until then...