3rd XV
Matches
Sat 16 Nov 2019  ·  Division 5 West
Gravesend RFC
3rd XV
26
22
Tunbridge Wells III
Down but never out

Down but never out

Matt Clarke17 Nov 2019 - 18:56
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https://www.gravesendrfc.co.uk

Seemingly out on their feet and 3 points down with 10 minutes to go,the Gannets score on the last play of the game to take the win.

If last weeks come from behind win against Sheppey was a warning that their unbeaten start to the season was not to be taken for granted then Saturdays encounter on the banana was a full on warning shot across the bows of the good ship Gannets.In fact,if this were a football match then the tactical analysis of this match would summise that the home team were playing a counter attacking style,happy to concede territory and possession only to hit Wells on the counter with pace and beardy beserkery in the form of Danny O and him.....

Early signs were promising as the Gees pushed and probed,trying to find their way through a stout TW defence.A penalty kick from double B gave the Gees an attacking lineout around the 22 which was collected,as ever by Sam Taylor for the catch and drive,Paddy taking it on at the back of the maul before finding Arron Peckett who burst across the line for a try converted by BB who had once again found his kicking boots after they didn't quite make the trip to Sheppey.

It was Paddy again making the break some 8 minutes later,outpacing the Wells D to find Danny O on his outside who sprinted up the sideline to touch down in thee corner with Ben again making no mistake with the boot.

But this was by no means easy and the two scores were pretty much the only times that Gravesend threatened the visitors tryline.Wells were by now settling into a rhythm,stringing together phase after phase and were soon on the scoreboard themselves although the Gannets done their utmost to assist with a string of penalties and knock-ons.

It was that (Irish) man again that extended the home sides lead with another with a typical lung busting and tackle breaking run to score again in the corner...must be those protein fags he smokes.

So from 19-5 up at the break Wells began to claw their way back into the game...19-10,19-15,19-17,19-22...the Gannets really did have no answer to the cohesion in the visitors play which saw them pegged back in their own half for long periods and when they did make their way downfield a booming kick downfield by the Wells fullback bounced unkindly to say the least for young Alfie Smith and bounced gratefully into the arms of a TW player to score under the sticks.Two tries also came from the Gees being beaten at their own game,the rolling maul and they were out on their feet and seemingly out of answers for the questions posed by the men in blue and white.

The only thing to do was go for it and go for it the Gannets did,hurling everything into the last ten minutes,battering the visitors tryline only to be met by a solid wall of...blokes.However with this wall came repeated infractions,going offside and off their feet in a desperate effort to disrupt the Gees attack.The question of the penalty try was being asked but to be fair,the Gannets weren't close enough to the line for this to be an issue.

The call of last play came from referee Woodbine and the Gannets finally shook off the 'white line fever' that was clouding the forwards judgement and they done what they arguably should have done earlier and gave the ball to the backs.With the Wells defenders focusing their attention on the Gees pack,it was Will Wilson that found room around the outside to score and spark Gees celebrations not since Lloydy caught a kickoff.BB added the extras and the Gannets had the win.You could and probably should say that they 'nicked it' based on territory and possession but a wins a win and lessons will certainly have been learned.

There really is only one person that deserves a mention after Saturdays game and that's Mike Woodbine.Originally down to prop today and there's no doubt that he would have made a massive difference had he done so,he ended up dusting off his yellow shirt and whistle to take the reigns and officiate the match.Yes,the Gannets players may have protested at decisions that went against them and they were rightfully punished for 'chirping' but the fact remains that had he not sacrificed himself (for want of a better phrase.Hey it's Sunday,ive been at work all day and i'm tired!) then there would have been no game,no last minute win,nothing to talk about in the bar after the game and no match report.Ok maybe no match report might have been a blessing..

Anyway,it's Sunday night and Paddy is DEFINITELY injured and not playing next week,much as he was this time last week....I'll give it 'til tomorrow evening before he declares himself fit for Saturday.

Until next time...

Match details

Match date

Sat 16 Nov 2019

Kickoff

14:30

Competition

Division 5 West

League position

1
Gravesend IV
4
Tunbridge Wells III
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
Club sponsor - Quilter