Wimbledon came to Gravesend on the back of their win over second place Dover the previous week, and demonstrated how worthy they were of that result as they put Gs under pressure from the start.

Despite winning possession, pressure from the quickly up visitors saw Gravesend forced to hurry their passes and with little control saw the ball running loose.

The normally assured play from the home XV was noticeably missing and some missed tackles in the centre brought their own pressure. It was Wimbledon’s David Charles that made the most these errors as he handed off Saunders then ran through the Gravesend line to touch down for 0-5.

Gs came back from the drop out and pressure on the receiver saw advantage played to the home side. Good second phase and ball moved left through Gray, Stevens then Curley before Matt Clement backing up crashed over to level 5-5 with eighteen minutes played.

Some fine attacking moves put together by the Don’s backs were at time finding Gs static and only last ditch tackles from Gray saw the ball and carrier driven into touch.

But it was again the fleet of foot by the visitors that made space for Reilly to run through the missed tackles and run round to ground the ball between the posts. Sykes made no mistake with his kick, from the tee, to take the score on to 5-12.

The home forwards were making their mark on the game, no more so than Abbey, both at the line-out and in loose play, but much of the hard won possession was lost as they failed to release the ball to the backs.

As Gray sent Moorey on a huge run for the line, the gap was closed just five metres short, the ball was secured by the back row and the ever vigilant Jon Clement forced his way over to narrow the deficit to 10-12 before the whistle for half-time.

Not the first time Gravesend have gone in at the break trailing by the odd score, but today they had to work hard to get their game back on track. At times it looked as if Dave Charles was being allowed enough room, to keep the visitors in front by himself and it was again last minute defence that kept the visitors from scoring.

At the end of the third quarter Gs had a series of five metre scrums and forward drives. As Forsyth was held up, second phase ball was sent along the line and with Curley making the extra man, Bishop was able to take a scoring pass to crash over near the corner.

Gravesend in front for the first time, and were not in the mood to give this up. With Wimbledon already bringing on their replacements, Gs took advantage to make their own changes as Bishop limped off and made way Whitehead, Ethan White came off for Ben Warner and finally Matt Clement stood aside for the young Ian Harman.

Several good moves with the ball going to hand saw Gray combine with Curley and Dorton but good defensive play by the visitors kept their line secure, and at times coming away with turn-over ball, putting the pressure on Gs as they were out of position.

It was the culmination of another of the wide attacks out on the left combined with retention of the ball that allowed Clement to recycle and with Dorton joining the line a pace the full-back found enough room to cross and extend Gs lead at 20-12 Wimbledon were not going to lie down and accept defeat, Gs penalised for coming in from the side just short of the twenty-two metre line gave Rawlinson the chance with a penalty which he duly put over. 20-15 with eight minutes of the game left to play.

Both XVs were playing all out for the result, with Wimbledon looking dangerous with the ball in hand while Gravesend were content to play it tight with the forwards.

With the game moving on to what would be the final line-out, Gravesend skipper Forsythe secured the ball and put in a final kick to touch and the win that keeps Gs top of the table.

With Dover again having to take a forced break due to waterlogged ground, Gravesend move seven points clear although the second place team now have two games in hand.

Today’s team: Dorton, A Bishop (Whitehead 64), Saunders, Moorey, Curley, Gray, J Clement, White (Warner 68), Papworth, Forsythe, Z Stevens, Abbey, M Clement (Harman 68) , Hussey, Stevens. Reps: Warner, Harman, Whitehead Next week Away to Maidstone, kick-off 2.30.