Brighton 26 - Gravesend 24

Gravesend fell agonisingly short at the death to lose with the last play of the game against a well drilled Brighton side. 

Having built a 24-7 lead it was ultimately lack of both discipline and composure which allowed Brighton a route back into the game.   

Brighton started well creating overlaps through slick backs play but time and again failed to get away from the final man.  It was therefore a surprise it took until 25 minutes before the home side scored.  Gravesend responded immediately when Josh Barnes crossed the whitewash.  With no further scores the side turned round at 7-5.

The second half started well for Gravesend and they enjoyed a purple patch scoring three unanswered tries with Man of the Match Ben Hope twice and Les Falefatu finishing off some outstanding play. 

The fact the the final try was scored when Gravesend were down to 14 men following an injury to fly-half George Bruce gave the visitors real hope.  Unfortunately a yellow card to Les Falefatu, some wayward kicking and some strange decisions from the man in the middle all gave Brighton the hope they needed.   So was no surprise that the pressure started to tell and after two tries Brighton got the final and telling touch down to win a closely contested encounter. 

This was a great effort from Gravesend against a side recently relegated from the division above.  The fact they were disappointed at the end shows how far this group have come. 

Next week sees Gravesend at home to Sutton & Epsom. 

Match report - Mark Bruce

Photography - @JP72Photography