Gannets finish second best in local derby fixture

The Gannets, taking to field in the unfamiliar colours of red and black, were optimistic of securing a second victory over the Old G's in their penultimate league fixture of the season. Unfortunately that wasn't to be the case as they suffered defeat from a better implementation of their own tactics on the day.

The scoreline does not tell the full story of the match however with the visitors spending the first 35 minutes of the match almost exclusively within the home sides half, only to be denied points a number of times by strong defence or being penalised. To their credit, a strong, aggressive defence was a feature of the Old Gravesendians play the whole afternoon ensuring that the Gannets backline never found enough space to make telling ground and when the home side eventually found their way into the Gannets 22 via a series of penalties they were more clinical scoring a try which was converted on the stroke of half time.

A number of changes at half time and a renewed focus on trying to secure possession looked to reap immediate rewards for the Gannets as they broke from their own half through Ben Ide, before securing a penalty around the 22 which Perri converted to bring the score back to 7-3.

The comeback went no further however as that proved to be the end of the scoring for Gravesend. Old Gravesendians scored two further tries before the bright sunny afternoon turned into a wet and rainy afternoon meaning the Gannets hope of building phases from their own half becoming even harder. Despite further good work there was to be no further score by either side before the final whistle was blown.

Next week will see Ashford visit Gravesend for the final league match of the season.