Beckenham 19 - Gravesend 34

Gravesend’s rise up the Regional 2 South East table continued at the weekend with a fine win away at Beckenham. A win which allowed Gravesend to leapfrog them in the table and move up to fourth in the league.

While conditions were fine breezy conditions always mean this was going to be a game of two halves. Playing with the wind in the first half Gravesend set about keeping the ball in the Beckenham half. On two or three occasion the home side carved open the Gravesend defence only for some desperate tackling to keep the scores level.

Gravesend though took advantage of a chip by George Bruce which was deflected into Josh Barnes hands who rode the tackle and scampered home also converting his own try.

The Gravesend pack was in dominant form at the set piece and after driving the side down the pitch. Gravesend played it out wide for Ben Stelfox to dive over the line. Even better was to come 5 minutes later when scrum half Ned Warren took the ball at the back of a maul and set off on a marauding run down the the blindside only to feed Ben Hope with an audacious pass to run in from 20 metres.

While the home fans were quietened they were soon in good voice after Beckenham capitalised on a yellow card for Rocky Sims to narrow the gap. Just before half time Barnes was on hand again this time with a penalty to make it 24-7 at the break.

With the wind at their backs the home side smelled blood in the second half. Wave after wave of attacks were being repelled by a resolute Gravesend defence. By the time the defence had been breached 20 minutes had been eaten up on the clock. Beckenham came again and playing into a strong breeze Gravesend could just not clear their lines. When Les Falefatu was carded it looked inevitable that the score would come and indeed it did reducing the deficit to 24-19.

Having defended for 30 minutes Gravesend then produced their best spell of the half taking advantage of a penalty duly converted by Barnes and a yellow card for Beckenham right at the death. Instead of kicking to end the game Gravesend took the scrum and made their forward advantage count with Falefatu, who had returned to the pitch moments before, picking up and diving over, securing the 4th Try and the extra Try Bonus Point!

The scoreline may have flattered but the performance didn’t!!

Next week Gravesend look to cement their play-off spot as they entertain Dartfordians.

Match report - Mark Bruce

Photography - @JP72Photography