Gravesend 13 - Brighton RFC 24

There was not much between Gravesend and league leaders Brighton but ultimately the difference between the teams was the level of composure and the taking of opportunities when they presented themselves.

The first half was a close affair with 20 minutes on the clock before Brighton opened the scoring with one of the many penalties they were awarded. The fact it took them until almost the stroke of half time to add to that with a try owes testimony to the superb defensive effort being put in by Gravesend. This came at a cost given a nasty facial injury to second row Josh MacKenzie.

Gravesend best spell came immediately after the Brighton score and in what was to be the final play of the half Brighton infringed one too many times for the referees liking which resulted in a yellow card. Gravesend though were unable to capitalise being held up over the line.

A strong start to the second half once again went unrewarded with too many wayward passes and knock-ons preventing Gravesend from getting a foothold. Indeed a lone Josh Barnes penalty was all they had to show.

The game was effectively ended when Brighton in probably their only two forays into the Gravesend half scored two quick tries. The Black & Whites though never gave up and a fine try by Ben Hope taking the score to 24-8. Two more attempts were held up over the line before Samraj Chahal scored on the final whistle to take the score to 24-13.

Having played the top 2 teams in the league and acquitted themselves well Gravesend who have now dropped to 8th place in the league take to the road in two weeks as they take on 7th placed Sutton & Epsom.

Match report - Mark Bruce

Photography - JP72Photogrpahy