Sat 16 Sep 2023
It has been well documented that Longlevens are hoping to achieve promotion out of Counties 1 Western North this season. One of the stumbling blocks to this happening last season was the inability to win away in Somerset. This was put right with a solid performance away at a tough Clevedon outfit on Saturday.
The Griffins started the game at a good pace and moved the lumpy Clevedon pack around the park. Continuous pressure resulted in Clevedon giving away penalties, one of which was kicked to the corner. Longlevens set up a good drive but were stopped just short, only for Steve Phillips to pick from the ruck to power over for the first of his hattrick, converted by the excellent James Butler, 0-7.
Soon after it was the turn of the backs to show what they could do. From a similar penalty the ball was once again kicked to the corner to set up a driving lineout. This time the ball was spun back left to Barton to make inroads before getting the ball away to Yorke who in turn fed Fox to speed over in the corner, converted again, 0-14.
The Griffins were 14 up after 14 minutes and were looking good, but lessons from this fixture last season weren’t learnt and they allowed Clevedon back into the game. A series of mistakes and silly penalties meant Clevedon gained possession and territory that they didn’t really deserve. From a lineout on the right in the Levens’ 22 they executed a lovely crossfield kick for their winger to pounce on, making the score 7-14.
A little bit of panic set in and the flow of the game was affected. Nerves were settled somewhat by the quick thinking of Ben Collier, who took a tap penalty under the posts and was able to muscle his way over for a converted try, 7-21.
Matters weren’t helped by a series of yellow cards and more penalties. Influential back row Luke Stratford was carded for high tackle, and from the resulting kick to the corner Clevedon applied the pressure to eventually set up a drive that resulted in a penalty try and yellow card for Cam Jones, meaning The Griffins were to start the second half with 13 and the score at 14-21.
Stern words were had by the leaders at half time and the overriding message was to keep the penalty count down. The next score was crucial and luckily for Longlevens it came to them. From the kick off the ball was spun left to speedster Jake Fox. He made a good 50 metres down the touchline to set up good territory before Steve Phillips was able to power over for his second, converted by the flawless Butler, 14-28.
Despite most of the possession and controlling the game Longlevens were unable to apply the killer blow to a dogged Clevedon side. The result was finally put to bed by two tries in the last 15 minutes, both scored by the forwards utilising the drive and pick and go. The first of these came from Dave Edwards who finished off a driving lineout by picking from close range, followed two minutes later by hattrick hero Phillips being on hand to flop over from another lineout drive, final score 14-42.
This wasn’t a vintage performance, but what it showed was the team are now able to see out tough away games at unfamiliar venues and have a varied gameplan to adapt to all situations. Half of the scores came from open play, the other from set peace moves.
After the whistle news came in that the seconds and thirds had both won signifying a very successful day for the club. Next week The Griffins are on the road again to Chipping Sodbury.
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