Gravesend held up by Westcliff on Saturday Picture: Nick Johnson

Gravesend head into the winter break on an emphatic winning note after running in five tries to see off Westcliff 37-30 at Rectory Field.

The visitors kicked a penalty to open the scoring but Tom Goss scored a try for the Gs which Sam Hall converted, before a Nathan Lines score put them 12-3 ahead.

However, Westcliff rallied and ran in two converted tries, either side of a yellow card for Gravesend’s Phil Thompson, to move 17-12 in front. The sides went in level 17-17 at half-time, though, after Gs skipper Jamie Forsyth crashed over to score.

Another Westcliff penalty at the start of the second period nudged the visitors back in front but Hall slotted two penalties and then converted a Gary Gray try to make it 30-20 in Gravesend’s favour.

Forsyth’s second try, converted by Hall, gave the home side a comfortable 14-point lead in the closing stages and a late converted try for Westcliff was no more than a consolation.

Gravesend, who sit eighth in National 3 London & South East following Saturday's victory, return to action with a trip to Staines on January 7.