D's narrow win gets season off the ground

The Old Boys, again rebooted for the new season via a number of new arrivals, were also improved by a number of old lags blowing the dust off their boots. Gilbey and Boyd provided an effective engine room, working hard in the loose and providing an effective line out combination. With skipper Laurence Reeve due to return next week the pack should continue to strengthen. Man of the match Jeremy Scott showed that his appetite for the fray is undiminished as he contributed a sterling shift from the 9 berth, contributing an almost error free performance in a game strewn with mistakes. New arrivals fly half Quincy Uiugia and fullback Billy Osborne were the pick of a new backline that will improve as familiarity builds.

D’s started the stronger and tries from Raey, Kucia and a sweeping length of the field effort from Uiugia was answered by a single unconverted A’s score. Gillinghams big pack looked to be blowing hard and with the slope to work with the home support assumed it was a question of how many.

Not a bit of it. From the start of the second half A’s came back strongly. When the visitors went left from a ruck, the Gills 8 made the extra man in the line and his break put clear the backs outside him to touch down for a converted score that bought them back into the game. When a few moments later (despite the touch flagging after the ball hit the corner flag) A’s touched down a grubber the game was suddenly tied at 19 all. A’s nosed ahead with minutes to spare when they added a penalty and a game that D’s had by the throat at half time was suddenly slipping from their grasp. D’s finally roused themselves and after a series of drives Boyd went over near the posts to restore the hosts slender lead. There was still time for Gills to get back into the D’s red zone but they were repelled as the Old Boys closed out a narrow victory.

Weirdly the game favoured the side kicking up the slope, with the clubhouse goalposts seemingly coated in kicker kryptonite as every kick at that end was missed. Gills showed fitness and resilience to come back into a game they looked to be out of while D’s showed that nothing should be taken for granted in this league.

Off to Sheppey this Saturday for a fixture that will fully test this new D’s XV.