Sat 23 Mar 2024
Longlevens travelled to Cinderford on Saturday with high hopes of securing the Counties 1 league title, however they came away from Dockham Road empty handed, with not even a bonus point to show for their efforts.
Clearly the enforced break from Barton Hill’s demise and the weather has played a big part in the current slump in form, however there can be no excuses, the Griffins were poor and Cinderford played the game plan to perfection.
The game was a slow burner with Cinderford edging the first 20 minutes. They got on the score board twice through the boot to finish the first quarter 6-0 up. Longlevens then found some form and began to exert pressure on Cindy. A series of penalties resulted in a kick to the corner that was driven well by the pack. Near the line, number 8, Steve Phillips peeled off and powered over for a well converted try, 6-7.
The half was finished by Cinderford scoring an almost identical try following a driving lineout to make the half time score 11-7.
This was always going to be a tight game with fine margins and the second half proved just that. The Cinderford full back was taking every opportunity to keep their scoreboard ticking over with the boot and slotted one on 50 minutes, 14-7. The Griffins responded with an important score five minutes later to bring the game to a draw. Phases were being mounted in the Cindy half and the ball found its way to Jake Fox to make fast yards towards the line. The ball was recycled quickly for Piers Fortey to dart over to bring the score to 14-14.
With 20 minutes to go and with both sides in the game there came a huge turning point. Longlevens were mounting a promising attack down the left touchline that had every chance of resulting in a try. However, the final pass was picked off by a Cinderford player who sprinted the full 70 yards to score, 21-14.
The game then became scrappy and it looked like the it would finish at 21-7 with a losing bonus point the only reward. Unfortunatley, on the stroke of full time Cinderford went wide to score and deny the Griffins anything from the game, final score 28-14.
Clearly this was disappointing and means the title is probably going to end up at Cinderford again, unless they lose one of their remaining three games. However, with Nailsea also losing it means promotion is 99.9% guaranteed. Winning the league was the aim, but promotion to level 6 is a great achievement and the players should feel proud. The squad will now target a convincing win at home against Cleve and then look forward to a cup run.
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