Gravesend succumbed to their second Regional 2 South East defeat in as many weekends after Sutton & Epsom managed the conditions better for a 17-12 success.

With a growing injury list hosts Gravesend, who lost their 100 per cent record last time out at Battersea Ironsides, played into the elements first with a hastily-reshuffled back line. Sutton set about their task with gusto and were first on the board with a converted try.

Gs bounced straight back when the returning Ben Hope galloped away to score, but the missed conversion left them two points behind.

There was no further scores before the break, with some impressive tackling from player-of-the-match Brad Money. Les Falefatu and Gary Brett, winning his 50th cap, also made telling contributions.

With a gale now at their backs after the interval Gravesend only need to play in the opposition half to come away with points, but when they did get the ball they failed to use it. They lost their shape when Sutton scored their second try and away centre Freddie Bunting, who had an off-day from the floor, kicked wisely from hand to keep Gs under pressure and Sutton scored again on 56 minutes.

The home side were forced to go uncontested in the scrum due to injuries with props but looked to have scored when Fili Laqerabeta drove over - the referee awarded the try only to change his mind after the Sutton defence got under the ball.

The gap was closed when Money picked up and darted over from close range. Rhys Betts converted to give the home side a valuable bonus point, but that was as good as it got.

Fourth-in-the-table Gravesend visit eighth-placed Bromley this weekend.