Gravesend saw a losing bonus point slip at home to Bishop’s Stortford.

The 26-7 defeat left the Gs on 35 points in National 3 London & South East with three games left. Tring, occupying the final relegation place and sitting five points below them, play their game in hand this weekend.

Saturday’s match was played on a muddy pitch, with the slippery ball making expansive rugby almost impossible.

The first half was an even affair but it was Bishop’s Stortford who opened the scoring.

As Gravesend stopped, waiting for an offside decision, the ball was kicked crossfield and Declan Caulfield took the final pass to score. Sam Coleman kicked the conversion.

The Gs forwards were applying the pressure with no reward and Stortford went further in front after the restart.

With Gravesend close to their own line, full-back Sam Winter went over for a try which Coleman converted.

However, the hosts fought back and, after a series of drives, Jamie Forsyth touched down for his 13th try of the season. Dave McMurtrie kicked the conversion to bring Gravesend back to within seven points.

But it was Stortford who had the last word, moving further clear with two Tom McCraith tries, one of which was converted by Coleman.