After a poor first half of the season Old Gravesendians started the second half of their league campaign with hope of better things to come. For forty minutes this hope looking like being turned into reality, as by half time Old Gs had secured a deserved 10-7 advantage. Unfortunately the home side regrouped at the interval and produced some pacey and precise rugby to run in twenty seven second half points without reply.
Old Gs showed early determination to keep their confident opponents at bay. Alex Rae put in some huge defensive tackles using all of his 20 plus stone to great effect. This inspired the rest of the team to defend hard and allow their opponents little space to create anything worthwhile.
It was a set play that finally penetrated the visitors defence. A five metre lineout, catch and drive could not be stopped and Sam Baker touched down to open Charlton Park’s account. Sam Naden converted from near the touchline. This was a false dawn as Old G slowly came back into the game. Although they were being squeezed in the set scrums and lineouts were scrappy at best, in all other respects Old Gs proved more than a match. The penalty count against the home side helped and Richard Oxtoby took full advantage with some good long line kicks. Steve Jarrett was proving dynamic off the back of the scrum and Matt Johnson and Mark Thompson scrapped hard for ball in the loose, and were also both prominent in attack.
Old Gs moment then arrived. The pack protected the ball well from a series of drives. This sucked in defenders and when the ball was released fly half Oxtoby dummied his opposite number and found a little space. He connected with Dave Boyer who was coming in off a great angle and the full back burst through the hole in the defence to touch down for a very good try. Oxtoby converted and Old Gs were well up and running.
Old Gs had two more golden opportunities to add to their tally. A powerful break by captain Michael Hodge was well supported by his fellow centre Mark Fenton-Smith. He seemed to be cruising in for the try only to be dragged down a metre short. This was followed by a great effort by winger Adam Keenhan. After a Charlton defender fluffed his catch the ball was kicked ahead. Keenhan managed to get in front of the Charlton Park defenders and dived at the ball which was bobbling over the line. As rugby balls often do, it bounced away from the winger’s outstretched hand.
More pressure from Old Gs produced a penalty, which Oxtoby converted with the last kick of the half to give his side a 10-7 lead.
The second half was very different. Old Gs had two of their front row leave the field with injury which disrupted their scrum, taking the effective flanker Matt Johnson and No 8 Steve Jarrett from back row to front row. Charlton Park tightened up their game and put much more pressure on the Old G scrum, competed harder in the loose and cut down on the number of penalties conceded. They also brought their quick backs into play at every opportunity. The result was a half of unrelenting pressure on old Gs line and the tries soon followed.
Charlton Park scored four tries in the half, touched down by Michael Cassisi, Ben Bevan, Ben Chappell and Sam Baker. Sam Naden converted two and kicked a penalty. All the tries were well constructed and based on quick running and good support in the backline and some robust and effective attacking by the pack. Old Gs fitness levels were fully tested in the final quarter. A month away from the game did not help, and continual defence is always more energy sapping than going forward.
The seconds lost a very close encounter 22-19 away at Medway, keeping the result close despite playing for three quarters of the match with only twelve men! Tries were scored by Kes Allebux, Ayub Pangarker and Raj Mahon, John Poulson converting two. The thirds lost 21-0 at home to Tunbridge Wells, both Merit table games.
