Emphatic success for Old Gs

OLD Gravesendians returned to form in the league with a resounding victory over previously unbeaten Old Olavians On Saturday.

It moves Old Gs back into second place in the Kent One on points difference, two points behind an ever-improving Medway, whose only defeat this season happened to be at home to Olavians.

Old Gs almost managed to field an unchanged team for the first time this season.

The only unavailability was Omar Wahab, who was replaced by Brett Buckingham, one of the joint men of the match.

Tactical naivety has cost Old Gs league points this season.

In this encounter they generally got their tactics spot on.

They used their forward superiority to deny Olavians the possession needed to release their dangerous back division, used tactical kicking when required to peg Olavians back and competed hard and in numbers at the breakdown.

In consequence, Olavians, who in previous matches had racked up large points tallies, were denied both possession and points.

It can be said the nil points against Olavians’ name was probably the most satisfying feature of this result for Old G’s.

Most of the visitors’ possession during the match came in the opening quarter.

They attempted to use the pace in their backs to outstrip Old Gs’ defence.

Although stretched at times, the home defences held up very well.

Old Gs also used the boot well to move the ball upfield and eventually stayed long enough in their opponents’ 22 to secure a series of scrums within a few metres of the try line. The visitors’ pack could not resist the driving of the Old Gs eight and eventually No 8 Mark Lockwood touched down for the try, converted by Richard Oxtoby for a seven point lead.

Other first half efforts by Old Gs were ruined by giving away silly penalties.

The ability to stay on their feet at the breakdown often seemed to be beyond some players, although it would be churlish to be too critical in the context of the game as a whole.

There was plenty in the second period to remind Old Gs they were in a real scrap.

For half an hour there were no easy points and only an Oxtoby penalty to show for their almost total dominance of possession and territory.

The lack of a breakthrough by Old Gs can only be explained by the well-organised defence put up by the visitors.

On numerous occasions, when an Old G attacker seemed certain to score, defenders appeared out of nowhere to slam the door shut.

Of course pacey and committed defence is tiring and in the final quarter, the damn broke and Old Gs scored three tries to register the sort of win their dominance deserved.

With a secure forward platform and faltering opponents, Old Gs decided to open up with some thrilling fifteen man rugby.

The first try came from a sharp attack through the backs.

A long cut out pass found Matt Holdstock on the wing and he cut inside to score, stretching the lead to 15-0.

In a re-run of last week’s failed strategy by Hellingly, Olavians became desperate to make things happen and tried to run a penalty from under their own posts.

A dropped pass was gratefully received by Old Gs’ scrum half Dan D’Cunha, who scored.

The best move was left until last.

Richard Oxtoby held up the ball long enough to put Matt Holdstock through a gap after coming off his blindside wing.

He drew the defence before shifting it to full back Marcus D’Cunha, who sped under the posts to score.

Oxtoby converted to complete a very encouraging 27-0 win, roundly applauded by the good sized gathering on the touchline.

There was a solid turnout at the excellent pre-match lunch for which the club must thank Roger and Angie from the Windmill.

The late Bill Carter was also remembered during the proceedings.

He will be sadly missed and was a true Old Gravesendian rugby man in both spirit and deed and a noted captain of the famous 1950s third team, “The Iron Girders”.

This weekend sees the first team visit Erith.