Forsyth top tight-head try scorer in National 3

Gravesend 53-45 Thurrock
In front of a near three hundred mixed crowd at Rectory Field on Saturday, for what was Gravesend’s last fixture of an injury torn season, both XVs treated their supporters to the most interesting and lively game of the season.
Gravesend were on the score board after just two minutes when Dave Dorton slotted over the first of his four first half penalties, but were left in no doubt of the ability of the visitors three-quarter line as full back Frankie Neale joined the line to finish off some slick handling across the park.
Neale missed the conversion from wide out, but Thurrock was in the lead 3-5.
Another Dorton penalty put Gs back in front, before good pressure and interchange of passing from the home pack made room for Gary Gray to take the final pass to go over in the corner.
The missed conversion was followed by a penalty miss from the boot of Neale but by the end of the first quarter Thurrock had shown they were here for the points as only good cover tackling from Ross O’Loughlin, Ziggy Stevens and Matt Powdrell kept them at bay.
Always alive to the half chance, visiting scrum-half, Josh Cook, was quick to take a tap penalty, catching Gs unaware of the danger and his fast thinking led to flanker Charlie Rosso running through for a try.
Neale added the conversion that put Thurrock in front at 11-12.
In a fast moving, free flowing game, with both sides out to enjoy their selves, the spectators were warming to all the opportunities that were being made.
Dorton struck again, when the visiting pack were penalised for front row infringements, to edge Gs back in front but not for long.
The free running, marauding, visitors backs were making ample space out wide, catching Gs defending far too narrowly, and it was not surprising that Joe Hardy found his way clear to run in un-opposed.
Neale was again on target to move the score on to 14-19.
Gs were also enjoying the freedom of the free movement of the ball and with the home front row so dominant they were able to give an ample supply to the backs.
Thirty-one minutes played and Dorton pulled Gravesend back within two points as his tee kick went between the uprights and just three minutes later, Gravesend’s, man-of-the-match, Charlie Cutting finished off a ten phase move to touch down for 22-19.
With Thurrock again pressing near the Gs twenty-two, a turn-over ball reached Tom Goss, who had come on for the injured Nathan Sawyer, the speedy winger, despite his lack of match fitness, ran seventy metres to score.
Despite another missed conversion, Gs were now ahead 27-19.
The visitors continued to entertain their supporters with more fine three-quarter moves instigated by the quick thinking Cook and his partner at fly-half Ian Rudgely and it was the latter that pulled the scores close again as he raced through for the try.
Neale, with his own touch-line supporters club, added the conversion to narrow the difference to just one point 27-26.
Although the watch had passed the forty minute mark, injury and other stoppage time added proved costly to the visitors and Gs ever present Ziggy Stevens intercepted the ball close to the ten metre line and find the speed to out-pace the defence to cross between the posts.
Dorton’s successful kick edged Gs away to 34-26 at the interval.
With an anticipation of more to come from the second half, the audience were quick to get back from the bar with their liquid refreshments, to add their encouragement for their team on the park.
They were not to be disappointed as both XVs set about trying to build on their earlier successes, but it was again Gravesend that struck first when skipper Ashley Moorey, having perhaps his most relaxed performance on the season, ran through for a try by the posts.
Dorton again on target eased the score to 41-26.
So dominant were the home pack, that it was not surprising that the Thurrock tight-head found himself in the sin bin for ten minutes as he had struggled against Charlie Cutting all afternoon.
Although with a man advantage, Gs were unable to capitalise on this, as with no front row replacement available, due to an earlier injury, the scrum went uncontested.
Strangely there was no further score for either side during this ten minute period, but as soon as the teams were restored to XV a side, Gravesend skipper Moorey went over for his second of the afternoon giving Gs a twenty point advantage.
Interceptions and run ins from both Junior Rocket and hooker Nathan Moorey went uncounted as the play was brought back for earlier knock-ons, but the game continued in its entertainment.
Missed tackles, something that had proved costly during previous games this season allowed Thurrock the time and space to send centre Markus Burcham on a run for the line to score and Neale pulled a further two points back with his conversion.
Nathan Moorey got his just reward for another excellent display, from the youngster that travels back from university to play each Saturday, when he crossed to score. Dorton’s kick moved Gs on to 53-33.
During time added on for stoppages, Gs eased off and this allowed an ever determined Thurrock side back into the game.
Tries for Neale and the luckless tight-head Aston Bevans-Royston with one conversion brought the final tally to 53-45.
Although not getting on the score sheet for today’s game, Jamie Forsyth again played a major role in Gs success, and he finishes the season as not only Gravesend’s top try scorer with fifteen for the season, but he is also top front row try scorer for the whole of the four National level 3 divisions.
Despite this excellent display during the final fixture of the season, Gravesend finishes just one win short of safety.
Bearing in mind that they suffered nine of their losses by less than seven points, during several of these they were the authors of their own demise, and are relegated, after three seasons at National level 3, to rugby’s level six where they will play in London Division One South next season.