Gravesend started their season with victory over Thurrock on Saturday but they were pushed all the way by the newly-promoted Essex side.

The Gs trailed for much of the game and it looked as though they would make the short journey back across the Thames empty-handed. However, Chris Meddings converted Gary Gray’s late try to ensure a winning start in National 3 London & South East.

Louis Muncey kicked a penalty to give the visitors an early lead and Ziggy Stevens scored a try almost straight from the restart to make it 8-0.

However, Thurrock fought back. Frankie Neale converted his own try to pull them back to within a point and after 20 minutes of tight rugby, Joe Hardy crossed to score with Neale again adding the extras.

Forward pressure from Gravesend eventually told when Tony Nolan found space and scored a try which made it 14-13 at the interval.

The hosts stretched their lead again when Neale converted a Nathan Farrell try. Both sides were guilty of handling errors, although Meddings kept the Gs in touch with a penalty.

Trailing 21-16 with 10 minutes to play, Gravesend kept persevering and their patience was rewarded when fly-half Gray touched down to level the scores. Meddings then kicked the winning conversion.

On Saturday, Gravesend host Kent rivals Old Elthamians.