Poor second half defending meant Gravesend had to settle for a 30-30 draw against National 3 London & South East new-boys London Irish Amateurs in the opening game of the season on Saturday.

Tries by Adam Bishop Ziggy Stevens (2) helped put Gravesend 23-17 in front at the interval.

Josh Smith added another converted try two minutes after the re-start to put the home side 13 points ahead, before the Irish hit back by adding a penalty and a converted try.

In-form fly-half David Dunne levelled the scores with another penalty, after G’s replacement Jamie Gwynne went on for the injured Adam Bishop who was penalised and yellow carded for an infringement at a ruck.

Earlier Bishop’s try put Gs 5-0 up after only two minutes, then Irish’s converted try put them 7-5 ahead, before Dorton’s penalty put Gs 8-7 up.

Both sides then traded penalties, before Stevens’ brace of tries and Dorton’s conversion gave G’s a 23-10 advantage. Another converted Irish try reduced the deficit to six points at the break.