Sat 21 Oct 2023
Longlevens got back to winning ways in emphatic style on Saturday, dismantling Old Bristolians in a 12 try demolition. The players were eager to atone for last weeks’ disappointing loss and they didn’t let the large Longford Lane crowd down.
The game started at a frantic pace with both sides sharing possession during the first five minutes, however it didn’t take long for the Griffins to get on the scoresheet. Old Bristolians kicked out from the 22 and Jake Fox was able to take a clean catch. He made good metres before the ball was recycled to Tom Griffiths who seemingly had nowhere to go. He had different ideas and blasted through tackles from a standing start to go over just to the right of the posts, converted by James Butler, who had a very good day with the boot, 7-0.
The Griffins then showed their dominance up front as they set up a catch and drive lineout move straight from the training ground. Centre Ben Collier joined the drive to add some weight and it was him who was able to dot down from the back of the maul, 14-0.
Longlevens were then guilty of trying to force things. Being so dominant meant they were trying to score from first and second phase and what was needed was structure and power runners. Another try was scored though as Fox again fielded a clearance kick and made good yards. The ball was then recycled left to find Tom Barton on the other wing who beat several defenders to go over wide out, unconverted, 19-0.
The bonus point try was scored just before half time following some good phases following a scrum on the right. Ben Collier made a good break short to the ruck but the ball squirted out of his hands. Luckily the ball bounced by Matt Fatica’s feet and he was able to hack it over the line and drop on it, half time 26-0.
For all their dominance, Longlevens weren’t happy with the score line or the first half performance. They needed to use their superior size and power more to make space around the field to finish things off. They did this to perfection, scoring eight more tries in a very good second half performance.
First to get a score for the Griffins was Cam Jones who finished off another set piece drive from a lineout, this was after Old Bs had managed to get one of their own following an interception. A response was quick and Jake Fox then scored a fantastic individual effort. From a scrum centre field, the ball was spun across the line to Fox on the right wing. He outpaced the outside cover, cut in to break two tackles, and then flew under the posts, 40-7.
Directly from the kick off the ball was moved with intent to Fatica to make powerful metres up the pitch. Quick ball was then moved left to Harry Atkinson who executed a nice 2 on 1 to put Barton away for a fine score, 47-7.
The next score came from Butler who was able to snipe from the base of a ruck and beat three defenders moving left to finish well, 54-7. Old Bs then capitalised on Longlevens trying to run out from their own line and pounced on a loose ball to make it 54-14, before normal service was resumed with a Tom Griffiths try. Multiple phases moved the Griffins up the pitch and the last phase involved three great offloads from Steve Phillips, Jed Holman-Jones and Josh Stratton, before the ball finally got to Griffiths to go over, 59-14.
Joe Weatherley had been taken off from his usual position of second row mid-way through the second half, but was now redeployed on the wing. From this position he was able to finish very well in the corner, diving in impressively to make it 64-14. This was followed shortly afterwards by a try from Steve Phillips who picked from the base of a scrum to power over, 71-14.
The day was finished off by the impressive Matt Fatica. He had been using his pace and power in the loose all day and scored his second of the day from inside his own half. He picked up a loose ball, rode several tackles before outpacing the tired Old Bs defence to score under the posts, making the final score 78-14.
This was a good performance all round and leaves Longlevens in a strong position in the league before the break week. Although second, a superior points difference means any slip up from the top team sees the Griffins go top. The next game is away at bottom side, Barton Hill.
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