London SE3 League
Sheppey 20 vs 17 Gillingham

In this away game Sheppey needed a bonus point win to maintain pressure for 2nd place, Anchorians spoilt the party with a good performance that with more tactical acumen would of given them a deserved win. In the end Sheppeys improved 2nd half performance and point taking decision making gave them the narrowest of victories.
The first half started well for the visitors, Smith stole ball in the tackle to release a backs move that saw Bright streak up the wing to be stopped only by a good covering tackle. Anchorians were soon back in the match, good pressure saw them deep into Sheppeys half, and poor discipline at the breakdown saw a string of penalties to give the home side first opportunity at points, but the penalty was missed by the half-back.
One way traffic prevailed, as Gillingham showed good ball retention skills to keep battering the Sheppey defence around the rucks, Adams in particular showing great spirit to repel the advance. The pressure told after 15 minutes, as a miss pass released the dangerous left wing into space, who beat 2 defenders to touch down for a converted try, and a 7-0 lead. A good break from Varker put the Islanders deep in to the opposition half, and the move was only stopped with illegal hands in the ruck. Penalty missed by Wardzynski, but from the ensuing restart Sheppey piled on the pressure through the forwards, and were only halted just short of the line by gutsy last ditch defence and finally a body lying on the wrong side. This time the penalty was slotted to bring the scores back to 3-7.
An exchange of penalties saw the scores to 6-10, as repetitive infringements at the breakdown from both sides spoilt the game. Gillinghams more direct running and adventurous play in the backs saw them get a deserved 2nd try, a smart kick through and naive wide defence by Sheppey saw the left wing first to the ball to touch down, with the conversion creating an 11 point lead. This was reduced just before half-time, with a successful penalty after one that had hit the crossbar, to bring the score to 9-17 at the break.
The 2nd half began badly, a string of dropped balls in contact did not give the large Sheppey travelling support much hope. However inside centre Willis changed the game, by straightening the line and attacking directly through the 10 channel, Sheppey began to finally get quick ball on the front foot, and dominated both territory and possession in the 2nd 40. John Kelly was driving his forwards on, and the Islanders came close several times, to be held out only by brave last ditch defence by Anchs. The home side were down to 14 men after an hour, as repeated offences finally tested the ref too far. Wardzynski took the penalty, and Sheppey were back within 5 points.
Gillingham weathered the next 10 minutes well, despite being a man down they did not leak further points, and Sheppey were frustrated to not take advantage. However in the 70th minute the continual pressure finally told, as quick hands through the backs found lock Smith wide on the left, who handed off a desperate tackle by Stanton to fall over the line and level the scores. The American football style celebration was an indication of the relief Sheppey felt to be back in this game. The conversion was missed, to leave a tense final 10 minutes.
With both sides fighting hard to create a scoring opportunity, it was first blood to Sheppey after 74 minutes as Wardzynski coolly stepped up to bang a penalty between the posts to give a narrow 3 point lead. Anchs dominated the final minutes, but on 2 opportunities spurned a kicking opportunity to look for the win with a try, and desperate defence only just kept them out, and give Sheppey an unconvincing 20-17 victory.
A game best forgotten by Sheppey, only a gritty 11-0 2nd half performance saw them to an unlikely win. With the backs drifting too often towards the touchline, defence was made too easy for Gillingham, who were rarely tested away from the forwards. Good performances from Adams, McKinnell, Varker, Smith, Mills, Kelly and Bright. But it was Willis, showing his experience by changing the direction of attack and finally straighten the back line with strong penetrating runs, that tipped the game in Sheppeys favour and was deserved man of the match for the visitors.

Sheppey Rugby Football Club

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