Sat 16 Dec 2023
Longlevens were 10 minutes away from surrendering a five-year home unbeaten league run on Saturday, being saved by a try from Tom Griffiths to squeeze past Clevedon 12-10.
This was an incredibly frustrating game to watch and an even more frustrating one to play in. Neither team was allowed to go more than three phases without a mistake creeping in or the referee blowing his whistle. This obviously stifled any attacking threat the Griffins had and consequently kept Clevedon in the game for the whole 80.
A try was scored fairly early on with Brad Wilkins on hand to finish off some good approach play, 5-0, and that was how the half finished.
The half time talk focused on the players relaxing and allowing the structure to come good. However, as time went on the pressure to attempt to get the try bonus point began to affect decision making, and that coupled with not being allowed to go past three phases meant the Griffins were forcing things. This resulted in an interception try being conceded and anxiety levels rising fast. Another try was then conceded on 70 minutes, crucially not converted, that set hearts racing about the aforementioned first loss in five years. Thankfully this wasn’t the case and Griffiths got Longlevens out of jail, followed by a Wilkins conversion.
Clearly this wasn’t on the plan for the Griffins who were aiming for another bonus point win to maintain their position at the top of the table, however it wasn’t meant to be and in the end a win was very gratefully received.
Although disappointed we can look back on 2023 as a spectacular year that brought lots of success for the whole club. The first team narrowly missed out on promotion by a single point, amassing 24 league wins with only five losses over the calendar year. We also had two unbeaten cup runs, winning eight games on their way to winning the Papa Johns Plate and the North Gloucestershire Combination Senior cup at Kingsholm. The second team also won their league last year, losing only one game and now compete in a league of mainly first teams and acquitting themselves very well. We are also now fielding a third team and regularly have 40+ at training.
Hopes are high for a great 2024 which will hopefully see promotion and another good cup run.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year #UTFG.
.png?v=638048213889410873){kind=link}