Young Gravesend 2s Outlast the Brockleians Behemoths

On a breezy, overcast afternoon there was a lingering question around the ground: could the 2nd XV possibly maintain the excitement that had been witnessed just minutes before kick-off?

What had happened?

Well, Gravesend Grammar School had booked their place in the national schools’ bowl final with a superb semi-final victory over a side seemingly packed with little Lord Fauntleroys. The terraces were lined with a bumper crowd of over 1,000 supporters and former GGS alumni — many of whom these days wear black and white rather than the blue of the noisy neighbours.

A fantastic achievement — and another example that Gravesend breeds a certain type not to be messed with. On this occasion, it was about rugby rather than the old haunts of the Somerset or Blakes. A different breed entirely in those establishments…

Back to the matter at hand.

Gravesend were hosting Brockleians, a side they had edged earlier in the season. The home side were still smarting from a recent loss, while Brockleians arrived on a decent run of form. Encouragingly, Gravesend didn’t need to call up any old heads at the last minute and instead fielded their youngest squad of the season. Skippered by Mr Cool Eddie Moore.

There were seven changes again — particularly in a reshuffled backline missing the sizeable presence of Euan in midfield. A tough gap to fill, but the returning Sam Bober made his first appearance in two years. As they say, you never forget how to ride a bike… though that’s another tale from the more frivolous Somerset days. Once an academy player of real class, he slotted back in seamlessly — and we’re sure he enjoyed it. His father certainly still enjoys the club bar. See you at training, Sam.

Paul (yes, he’s alive) returned at full-back, while Max — and that infamous rally jacket — came back onto the wing for the injured speedster Josiah.

Finley “Great” White resumed duties at fly-half after a spell with the 1st XV, joined by Bailey Williams and Josh “Chopper” Harris. Hardly seasoned veterans — they all still get pocket money — but classy operators, nonetheless. That’s the theme of this 2nd XV: young, hungry, talented, and improving game by game.

Up front, Max Steel was back in the engine room in the front row, while William of Nursted provided impact from the bench alongside Gravesend’s very own Maro Itoje-in-waiting, Ish Sagay.

The stage was set.

Brocklians kicked off and it was immediately clear the young Gs were here not just to compete, but to entertain the still-swollen crowd. Phase after phase of confident handling led to an early penalty. Rather than take the simple option, Gravesend kicked to the corner — brave, ambitious, and setting the tone.

When the two packs stood side by side, it was clear this would be a battle at opposite ends of the BMI spectrum. David versus Goliath in sheer size. Brockleians’ second row, in particular, would become the fulcrum of their side — and ultimately deliver a man-of-the-match performance. Would that prove decisive?

Gravesend’s throw was slightly high but safely gathered by the “towering” Bailey, who fed Finley with a crisp pass. Two defenders were beaten with dancing feet, and White crossed for a superbly taken opening try. A bright start.

From the restart, Gs again secured clean lineout ball and raised the tempo. A well-weighted kick and strong defensive set led to a thunderous tackle from flame-haired Henry Morris and a turnover. The ball found Finley — already looking imperious — who chipped cleverly for cousin Harvey Dean. After a juggling effort from the covering defender, Dean gathered to score under the posts.

Strong carries from Max Steel, Lewis White (no, not another cousin), and Henry Morris took Gravesend through more than ten phases before a knock-on handed Brockleians a scrum inside their own 22 — a welcome breather for the big men up from the A20.

They won it comfortably and unveiled a simple but effective game plan: one-out runners and driving mauls. Direct, heavy, relentless. Ultimately, it looked like their only way through this energetic young defence — and they executed it well, grinding over for their first try.

Now firmly in the contest, Brockleians began to build momentum. Their carriers made hard yards and the “big trees” proved difficult to chop down. But Gs forced a turnover, and Finley — growing in authority by the minute — drilled a superb 50-22 to swing territory back.

The lineout was perfect. Bailey pirouetted in the air to deliver clean ball, the backs carried with intent, and after relentless pick-and-go work from Max Steel, Josh Harris darted through a lazy defensive line to score.

The message was clear: keep ball in hand, win territory, and the tries will come.

Again, from the restart, Gravesend attacked — kicking deep, defending ferociously, and forcing errors. Yet cracks were appearing. The lineout wasn’t entirely smooth, and Brockleians’ considerable weight advantage was beginning to dominate the scrum.

Out wide, the “Great Vanishing Act” Paul and university returnee Joel Cain threatened repeatedly, only to see promising moves halted by infringements against the Gravesend pack. A turnover lineout led to strong carries from Lewis (now apparently sponsored by Lucozade), an offload to Henry Morris, and a slick pass wide — only for a forward pass to deny what would have been a deserved fourth score. By rights, Gs could have been four tries clear.

Instead, from another scrum, Brockleians’ heavy artillery went back to work. One-out runners. Driving mauls. Long, grinding scrums. Set after set they marched up field before eventually spreading wide, where even three or four defenders struggled to halt them as they crossed in the corner. Simple. Effective.

Half-time: Gravesend ahead and looking capable of running away with it — but discipline and that gargantuan opposition scrum would be key.

With the wind now at their backs, Brockleians grew in confidence. Their carries were harder, their set piece increasingly dominant, and Gs’ infringements began to mount. When the ball reached their backs, they suddenly looked dangerous.

Inevitably, they scored.

Momentum had shifted. Brockleians were now in the ascendancy, hammering away with their direct approach. What this Gravesend 2nd XV has become, though, is a group of tough, fearless young lads who don’t mind throwing their heads where others wouldn’t. We spoke earlier about breeds — this lot are mongrels in the best possible sense.

Brockleians did cross again, this time from a five-metre scrum.

And now, it was game on.

Brockleians had taken the lead — and with it, the momentum. For the first time in the match, the young Gs looked under genuine pressure. It was time to rally.

On came the cavalry.

The giant Ish Sagay — a rangy, athletic lock whose rugby IQ may still be downloading but whose potential is frightening — entered the fray alongside the Duke of Nursted. Fresh legs. Fresh belief.

From the restart, Gravesend defended with renewed bite, forcing errors and pushing Brockleians back into their own half. The running and offloading game remained, but now there was greater control — a recognition that territory mattered as much as tempo.

After relentless tackling from the contortionist Josh Harris, the turnover came. Gs attacked with composure and earned a kickable penalty.

Up stepped Sam Bober, continuing kicking duties to cap what had already been an outstanding return to the fold. He slotted it.

Game on.

The “young dogs” had new life.

From the restart, Gravesend surged again. Crisp, simple passing. Harvey Dean — now fully over the heartbreak of not having Euan alongside him — showed electric feet before offloading to Paul, who tore 50 metres up field. The ball moved one way, then the other, stretching tired defenders until another penalty presented itself.

Kick to the corner.

The moment had arrived.

New captain Lewis, perhaps with the Jedi Master Force-yth whispering encouragement in his ear, took the brave call. Lineout secured. Drive set. And like they’ve done so often this season, the pack thundered over for the try.

Gravesend led by seven.

From the restart, the pattern continued — hard carries, smart territory. Finley White, enjoying a stellar afternoon… until now… launched a long kick that turned the heavy, increasingly weary Brockleians pack. They infringed.

Penalty. Left of the posts. Chance to seal it. It drifted wide.

Brockleians had one last roll of the dice.

Wave after wave they carried, battering into a defensive wall that refused to yield. The once free-flowing young guns were now entrenched, tackling anything that moved. Another penalty.

You know what’s coming. Kick to the corner. Driving maul. Yards gained. Then phase play — once, twice — repelled. Held up.

Goal-line dropout. Final play.

Finley White stands over it. “Low and hard,” comes the call.

He drops the ball.

Swings the leg………BOLLOCKS!!

Straight out on the full. Five-metre scrum. Worst-case scenario.

T-Rex Sargey. Lewis. Max Steel. Ready to bite down and take what’s coming. Thirty seconds of pain required.

First shove — Max nearly exits through the sunroof. Neck still attached.

Second engagement — it creaks, it groans, but Sargey clamps on with a death grip. Manny locks it out. The ball squirts loose…Knock-on, Brocklians.

And that’s it.The mighty Gravesend 2nd XV claim a thoroughly deserved victory — built on bravery, youth, resilience, and just enough mongrel to see it through.

Two Wins. One Breed…The mighty Gravesend 2nd XV survive. Not polished. Not perfect. But brave, relentless and just unhinged enough to hang on.

Earlier, Gravesend Grammar School showed the future is bright. A few minutes later, the club’s young mongrels proved the pathway from School to black and white is alive, loud, and occasionally terrifying.

Gravesend doesn’t breed Little Fontalroys

It breeds competitors.