Gravesend 36 - Dartfordians 26

Gravesend maintained their recent fine form and their climb up the table with a fine 36-26 win over Dartfordians at the weekend.

Gravesend may have expected an easy win with Dartfordians struggling at the wrong end of the table but the visitors had other ideas and gave them a run for their money.

In front of a large crowd and Gravesham Mayor Jenny Wallace Gravesend were hoping to entertain.  The first half though became a bit of an arm wrestle and the home side only had a Chris Shorter try and Josh Barnes penalty and conversion to show for their efforts.  Dartfordians scored one of their own to keep the score at 10-7 at the break with on occasion the home side guilty of wasting opportunities and failing at some of the basics.  

The second half started even worse as Dartfordians scored a second try to given them a 14-10 lead.  Any nerves though were soon dispelled as first Lewis White and then Les Falefatu took advantage of a Dartfordians yellow card to give Gravesend a 10 point lead.

Dartfordians came again to reduce the deficit  to 5 points but Gravesend now were in the ascendency and the back were starting to enjoy themselves going first one way then the other.  The game was effectively over in the 70th minute when top try scorer Ben Hope collected the ball out wide to score again.  Soon after he was also the recipient of another well worked move but with still plenty to do carved a line which saw him fend off one tackle before darting 10 metres and touching down and give Gravesend an unassailable 36-19 lead.

Dartfordians did not give up and scored with the last play to give them the bonus point they deserved.  

Gravesend cemented their place at 4th in the table with in all likelihood one win from their next three games being sufficient to give them a play-off spot.

Next week is a rest week before Gravesend travel to a newly resurgent Battersea Ironsides on 21st March.