51st Sunshine 7's a Roaring Success

The Sunshine Sevens has evolved over its fifty one year history, to the top charity Rugby Sevens Tournament in the South. The event now marks the start of the Sevens season and is used by many of the top teams to try out their new players and tactics prior to the lucrative series of International tournaments. Spectators at this year's event witnessed a mixture of high quality rugby, interlaced with usual mixture of fun that epitomises the Sunshine Seven's.

With 32 teams getting set to battle it out for the Lady Astor of Hever Rose Bowl, this years 51st Sunshine Sevens was set to be a "fantastic" weekend of Rugby. After last years thrills from the Army and their Fijian stars, many of the crowd turned up just to watch them perform and were hoping for a repeat victory. read more...

G's go up to London SE IV

A truly fantastic way to end one of our best seasons ever

Old Gravesendians RFC 5 - East Grinstead RFC 14

Saturday 26th April 2008

For their final game of the season G's travelled to the Kent 1 side for the play-off game to gain promotion to London South East IV; the league they had been relegated from 2 seasons previously. Selection for the game had been a real headache for the coaches and captain, as full availability meant a number of hard choices. But G's were confident that they were travelling to the game with the strongest side they had on paper and probably put out all season.

Arriving at Old Gravesendians they were greeted by perfect playing conditions and a pitch ideal for their fast flowing game. Arriving in plenty of time G's had a perfect warm-up and approached the game positively, knowing that if they played to the best of their ability they could beat any side. They were also aware that many previous sides from Sussex 1 had fallen at the final hurdle, playing the traditionally stronger Kent sides.

G's two tries came in the first half and were both made from broken play. Their first try came from turnover ball, started on their own ten metre line. The backs were able to create an overlap in the confusion and winger Andy Fairweather took the ball on the half way line. He stepped and out paced his winger and then brilliantly did the same to the talented OG's full back to score the first try of the game. Full-back James Ohlson scored an easy conversion and G's led 7-0. G's second try came from their aggressive defence again. read more...

Annual Awards Dinner Dance

Saturday 17th May 2008

This year we have decided to hold the club's annual dinner dance at the Felbridge Hotel. This should be a fantastic evening for everyone who comes along. The recent refurbishment of the Hotel has transformed the ballroom as a banquet venue and it will help make the evening feel very special for all of us. We are very honoured that Andy Ripley has agreed to speak after the dinner. He has been an England international rugby player, world indoor rowing champion and also beaten cancer, so is a very interesting character.

We really need the support of everyone involved in the club to make this a successful night read more...

Easter Tour to Bourg de Peage

Photographs and Story

Once more the band of tourists found themselves on a coach & train to distant shores, well Bourg de Peage at least. The Friday as always was an adventure not to be missed! An early start with a coach or alternative transport and the meet at a Eurostar station, with everyone wondering why tours have to start so early... then the usual pause at a Guinness pub in France at the change over between Eurostar and TGV.

At least this time we were in Lisle with both trains using the same station and so there was chance we could lose Matt Ravenscroft! We finally arrived at the Romans club, a little worse for wear but still with loads of energy, which was soon to be dissipated by our hosts in their usual attempt to get us as intoxicated as possible. Eventually, in the early hours of Saturday, the tourists started to fade and head back to their dwellings, if they could find them! read more...