Old Gravesendians missed a great opportunity to take maximum points from this game and give themselves a boost after the humiliation suffered two weeks ago at Sheppey. However despite missing out on the win this was a step up for Old Gs in terms of performance.

Lordswood had won their first five games this season while Old Gravesendians had lost their first four and therefore the prospects of a home win were probably not good. However the visitors lost last time out and, until the Sheppey game, Old Gs were showing a few signs of revival.

Early signs were good for Old Gs who started well. Alex Rea, Ricky Harding and Matt Johnson, playing on the wing, looked lively and the latter made one exceptional break up field which unfortunately came to nothing. It was therefore against the run of play that Old Gs conceded two tries. The first was the result of some shambolic defending. Lordswood kicked ahead and no one from Old Gs was prepared to fall on the loose ball. After seeing a couple of panicky mis-kicked hacks at the ball by defenders, the visitors said thank you very much and scored a simple try.

It got no better for Old Gs as Lordswood soon doubled their score. This one was well worked and the visitors attacked first one way and then the other before finally outflanking their opponents. Although 10-0 down Old Gs were still well up for the contest and their attitude soon brought its reward, Michael Hodge converting a penalty. Unfortunately the home side were pegged back again, Lordswood taking advantage of an Old Gs knock on to pick up and score. It was just as well that Lordswood’s kicker was having a bad day as he failed to convert any of his team’s four tries, although to be fair none of the kicks was easy.

Even at 15-3 down Old Gs were not out of it. They were dominant at scrum time, with the front five winning some ball against the head, and on occasion even demolishing their opponent’s scrum. This boded well for the second half when the slope would be in their favour. They did not have to wait for the second half however, because Old Gs scored the try of the match up the slope. Quick scrum ball moved quickly down the line put Matt Johnson away. He made considerable inroads before linking with Matt Holdstock and Mark Fenton-Smith, the latter touching down for the try. Hodge put over a difficult conversion to close to 15-10, a deficit that remained until half time.

Old Gs dominated the second half and should have taken the game away from Lordswood. They started well with a push over try from five meters. No 8 Mark Lockwood had the simple task of placing the ball down after the Old G pack had split open their opponents with a great surge. The scores were now level and there looked to be only one winner. Old Gs came at Lordswood strongly, enthused by the prospect of victory. Michael Hodge ran hard towards the line sucking in defenders, then offloaded to Matt Holdstock who cruised over the line to secure a very well deserved 20-15 lead. It was all one way, and missed conversions and penalty opportunities seemed to matter little as Old Gs were in more or less total control. They should have turned their overwhelming possession into tries.

Alex Rea was always good for a few yards, and along with the hard working Matt Coomber kept Lordswood on the back foot. The attacks reached a pitch when a really aggressive burst by Mark Fenton-Smith seemed decisive. A simple pass to the supporting Omar Wahab and the game was won. As happens in these situations a simple pass is never that simple and the opportunity was not taken. It is worth mentioning at this point that Lordswood were working very hard in defence of their line and their unyielding attitude was exemplary.

Of course with so much effort expended on attack defence sometimes suffers. Lordswood briefly took the game to Old Gs and after winning a series of penalties managed to work some space. Their left wing brushed aside a weak tackle and dropped over the line to level the scores at 20 points apiece. If he had tried a bit harder to go nearer the posts his team mate may have had a better chance to convert the try and win the match.

Old Gs still had time to win and were thrashing away at their visitors’ line for the last few minutes but always coming up short. The Old Gs pack, who worked tirelessly, took another of their opponents’ scrums with the last play. As their was no time on the clock, keeping the ball in hand was probably the best option, but a drop goal was a possibility. A split second decision was made to go for the drop but unfortunately the attempt sailed wide. Old Gs secured two points for the draw and Lordswood three (having scored four tries) but Old Gs know that they should have won this one outright and received five points to Lordswood’s one.

Old Gs second team won their Merit table game 10-3 against Aylesford. Raphael Sikwabi scored a try and john poulson converted and added a penalty.

Next week Old Gs 1st XV are away at Beccehamians. Old Gs seconds are at home to Edenbridge 1sts and the thirds away at Maidstone, both Merit table games.