Gravesend celebrate securing the London 1 South title

by Kevin Redsull

The champagne flowed at Rectory Field on Saturday as Gravesend Rugby Club celebrated winning the London 1 South title with their 29-16 victory over Old Elthamians.

It means that next season Gs will be playing in National League 3 London & South East – the highest position in their 130-year history.

Head coach Bob Hussey said: "We are proud of what we have achieved, especially as 95 per cent of the team are homegrown players whom we have developed through our junior system.

"We have been consistent and tried to play an expansive game of rugby."

Gs are also through to the semi-finals of the Kent Cup, where they will meet Old Colfeians on a date yet to be confirmed and Hussey added: "At the start of the season we set two targets.

"They were to finish higher in the league than we did last season, when we finished fourth, and to return to the Kent Cup final again after losing in last year’s final to Blackheath.

"We are halfway there and I’m confident we will achieve the second part as well."