By Mark Bruce

It was a case of what might have been as Gravesend went down 22-21 at home to Old Reigatian in Regional 2 South East.

The opening game of the season was decided on a couple of controversial incidents. The first a try to the visitors which the video later showed was clearly out in the build-up, and the other when the Old Boys, already down to 13 men, conceded a penalty try which went unpunished by the match official.

Either side of that the game was a full-blooded encounter with the away backs demonstrating a willingness to run from almost anywhere on the pitch, with the execution to back it up.

Gravesend, for their part, were excellent for large spells of the game, although their set-piece dominance never fully received the reward it deserved. Indeed, the penalty try was the only score despite the superior numbers they had in the first half.

Reigatian scored when awarded a penalty despite the scrum dominance from Gravesend and a fine team try gave them an almost unassailable lead at 22-7 going into the final 10 minutes.

Samraj Chahal, who was his usual excellent self all afternoon, moved to No.8 and his electric pace saw him cross the line twice after good work at the lineout and scrum. Both tries were converted by George Bruce, but just when there was hope this was extinguished with the final whistle.

Gravesend visit Sidcup on Saturday.