By Mark Bruce

Gravesend’s Regional 2 South East campaign concluded with a 22-21 defeat at home to Battersea Ironsides.

Ironsides led the league for much of the season and, knowing if rivals Old Alleynians slipped up at Medway they could win the title, were backed by a large and vociferous support.

Despite that, Gravesend, with the wind at their backs, started the stronger and two penalties from Josh Smith were topped by a fine try by Chris Brady. Catching a high kick, Brady rode three challenges before scampering over for an 11-3 half-time lead.

The second-half barrage did come from the Ironsides who, with Alleynians leading, needed the bonus-point try which was to prove elusive.

Playing into the wind Gravesend finished the stronger and a further kick from Smith and a try by Stan Dadson set up a nail-biting finale which ended in disappointment for both sides with Gravesend beaten and Battersea missing out on the title.

Gravesend finish their campaign 10th in the standings and turn their attentions to the Papa Johns Community Cup, where they host Dagenham in the First Round of the Regional 2 South Shield on Saturday.