Gillingham Anchorians were unable to build on a 10-0 lead and were overhauled 20-10 by mid-table rivals Vigo in Kent 1 on Saturday.

After some early forays from both sides, Anchorians – playing with the glare from the sun in their faces – took the lead with a converted try.

The ball was won at a scrum on halfway and passed to fly-half Richie Collins who quickly fed Brett Little. The winger ran in beneath the posts to set up an easy conversion for Collins to give Anchs a 7-0 lead.

Vigo came back strongly, using the sun to good advantage with some high kicks and quick runs.

Anchs were able to absorb the pressure and were eventually rewarded with a penalty for offside which Collins converted for a further three points.

Anchs were forced to make a change when Dave Hadris took a hit on the nose and was replaced by Phil Dedman.

Vigo clawed three points back with a successful penalty, and despite Anchs’ attempt to build momentum going forward it was the home side who scored again when their winger popped over the line to score a converted try to bring the sides level at 10-10.

Strong defensive work for Anchs by Kenton Parbutt, Ben Davison, Adam Davison, Craig Whiting, Alistair Parker, Wayne English and Andy Pritchard kept the home side out for the rest of the half.

Changing ends, Anchs were hoping for some advantage from the sun in the second half – but clouds obscured any glare for Vigo in the second half.

The home side started strongly, but excellent defence from Anchs kept them at bay with scrum after scrum being successfully won by the visiting forwards.

Similarly, line-outs were working successfully, with Anchs hooker Ricky Deamer proving accurate with his throws which were caught well by Adam Webb and Richie Kyle. However, when Webb was sin binned for a minor misdemeanour, Anchs were left with 14 men for 10 minutes.

They managed to hold out during this period, but despite some changes being made, with Pritchard replaced by Dan Perry and Chris Everest coming on for Parbutt, Vigo scored another converted try and kicked a penalty to finish 20-10 winners.