The Gannets travelled to bottom of the table Leigh in the p*ssing rain with a lovely new kit and high hopes for their first win of the season.
After a swift handbrake turn in the mud,Mayhew and yours truly bagged the best plastic chairs in the luxury portakabin and waited expectantly for our teammates.
The G's lined up as follows;
1.Rob Bardell
2.Joe McCarthy
3.Gary Waters
4.Rich Mayhew
5.Mark 'Oaf' Armitage
6.Sam Holden
7.Posty
8.Matt Clarke
9.Ben Baker
10.Ian Shuttlewood
11.Neil Martin
12.Steve Wootton
13.James Kurszewski
14.Dan Beazer
15.Connor Martin
16.Brian Rayner
17.Jamie Rayner
18.Dan Douglas
After Ben Bakers kickoff was fumbled by Leigh,the G's attacking scrum drove Leigh back,setting the platform for great interplay between backs and forwards.Our masterplan of getting the ball to James Kurszewski proved fruitful with the aforementioneds mazy run beating a couple of defenders to score an unconverted try.
The G's continued to attack the home line but the loss of Steve Wootton to a hamstring injury after 15 mins disrupted their game plan and this was further compounded 5 minutes later when Bens iffy shoulder meant he could no longer continue,being replaced by Jamie Rayner.
The remainder of the half was played out as a midfield slugfest with strong running from both sides being met by stiff tackling.
The Layabouts started the second period with renewed vigour and soon had the Gannets pinned back in their own half albeit with the help of more than a few knock-ons and forward passes.A well kicked penalty reduced the arrears to 3-5 and squeaky bum time was on.
Hearts were in Gravesend mouths when the home side missed a kickable pen and then went over in the left hand corner only to be denied by a forward pass.
So with the ref calling 'last play' the home side took an attacking line out inside the G's 22..the ball travelling down the line from the 9 to the 11 with him dotting the ball down in the corner,despite the despairing tackle of a 40 year old number 8..
The conversion was made via the post and crossbar,followed immediately by the final whistle.
Overall,a fast paced,evenly contested game and fair play to Leigh whose performance belied their bottom of the table position and a great bunch of lads to boot.
Much fun was had in the portakabin post match,especially by Mr Mayhew hogging the first (of 2) showers so we had to squeeze past him to the second.It's the only explanation for the marks on his back.
Many thanks to Connor,Jamie and all the Swans and Moles for helping us out.You left everything on the pitch and we look forward to returning the favour one day.
To quote Posty..Vires et honestas.
Until next time..