Gravesend battled their way past Westcombe Park 7-6 in the second round of the Shepherd Neame Kent Cup on Sunday.

A second-half try by Matt Weighman proved decisive, although Kent’s premier club could have snatched victory if they had converted a late penalty.

The Orpington outfit took an early 3-0 lead through a Phil Rogers penalty and Gravesend had to withstand some heavy pressure. However, as half-time approached Gravesend began to show more confidence and it was the home team who had to put in some heavy duty defending to keep their slender lead intact.

Gravesend had flanker Rob Hussey yellow carded early in the second half and Park capitalised when Rogers kicked his second penalty.

But Gravesend hit back with a superb try by Weighman, who sliced through the Park defence to score under the posts, with Gary Gray’s conversion opening up a 7-6 lead.

Park then piled on the pressure, but Gravesend defended magnificently and their place in the next round was ensured when Rogers was off target with a late penalty.