Blues coach not downhearted

GILL ANCHS WHITSTABLE

Leaders Anchorians proved too strong for Whitstable on Saturday, but player-coach Mal Graves remains confident his side are capable of improving in the second half of the campaign. Whitstable’s defeat was their ninth in 12 matches, leaving them ninth in Kent 1, but Graves says their results have not always reflected performances in the first half of the season. He explained: “I’m probably beginning to sound like a cracked record but we’re not a long way off. “In the first half they had three chances which they took and we had three chances which we were not able to, either because we couldn’t just get over the line, or get the ball away quicker. “They scored early but it was 5-0 for 20, 25 minutes. “Then they got a try right on halftime which killed us a bit. “They’re a good side, they played rugby in the right areas and once they got in front they were clinical. “The conditions were horrendous, it was bitter.

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“I’ve played in snow and been warmer, but I can’t ask for any more from the lads “I can’t fault their effort or commitment, we probably just need a few more bodies.” With four players missing from the previous week Graves had to reshuffle his resources, including Sam Holness in the three-quarters, but the Blues gave a good account of themselves before that try right on the half-time whistle gave Anchs a 17-point lead. The introduction of Jay Ellis helped improve their scrummaging in the second half, but although winger Bobby Powell again carried well, the home side emerged comfortable winners, to claim their 11th win in 12 matches. Blues resume their campaign on January 5 when they host New Ash Green, the team immediately above them. It is a game they will targeting to win and Graves remains in no doubt they will collect more points in the second half of the programme. He added: “The thing is the boys are learning and it’s not as if we are being regularly outclassed. “The gulf between us and the teams at the bottom is a significant one and I have absolutely no doubt at all that we’ll be fine.”