By Mark Bruce

Gravesend succumbed to another agonising Regional 2 South East defeat against Old Colfeians on Saturday, going down 25-22 in front of a large gathering at Rectory Field.

An injury to goalkicker Josh Smith as he converted a penalty led to the Gs having to reshuffle their back line. As a result, it took some time before they got into their stride and Colfes managed to take the lead, scoring from close range.

Gravesend then had their best spell of pressure with a fine try from half-back George Bruce. As too often this season, though, they immediately conceded, failing to take a restart cleanly and committing an offence.

Another fine breakaway try by player-of-the-match Ben Kite gave the hosts the upper hand, but again it was shortlived as Colfeians got close before spinning the ball out wide to score.

The half ended poorly for Gravesend as an intercepted pass saw Colfeians run 70 metres before crossing the whitewash. With the conversion the sides turned around with the hosts five points in arrears.

What promised to be an entertaining second half turned into a dour struggle with Colfeians taking advantage of the wind and camping themselves in the Gravesend half. Bruce and Samraj Chahal almost unlocked the defence, but the move was over before it began as the ball was spilled.

At the other end the home team defend doggedly and restricted Colfeains to a penalty, however, it was not until the closing stages when Chahal managed to take the ball at the base of a ruck and dive over that Gravesend earned the bonus point they deserved.

With results elsewhere going their way, Gs stay three points above the relegation zone with four games to go - starting at Reeds Weybridge on March 2.