Sat 26 Oct 2024
Longlevens welcomed Drybrook to Longford Lane on Saturday for the first time in many years, and both sides produced a scintillating game of rugby.
It was a game of two very different styles as Drybrook play a very effective direct game and Longlevens like to play a more expansive brand, but it was the direct rugby of Drybrook that was the more successful from kick off. Longlevens were under pressure from the off and were giving away penalties that were duly dispatched to the corner by Drybrook. The resulting line out drive proved too much to handle and the Griffins found themselves five points down after four minutes.
Longlevens then gained some possession and showed what they could do with ball in hand. Using their shape well the ball was moved from side to side, using forwards to suck in the defence. Tom Barton then took the ball at pace and made good yards through the middle before the ball was played out the back to Matt Smith who broke through and arced left to score in the corner, crucially converted by Brad Wilkins, 7-5.
Longlevens were now in the flow and playing a great brand of rugby that had the crown on their feet. Straight from the kick off the ball was caught cleanly and taken back with force. The players then executed what coach Andrew Stanley has instructed and moved the ball wide from the second phase. Smith was again on hand to make 50 yards before he popped inside to man of the match, Tom Barton for the first of his hattrick, 14-5.
The Griffins were really piling on the pressure now and drawing penalties from Drybrook. Wilkins slotted one over for a three pointer and again, directly from the kick off they were able to score again. The kick off receipt play was again executed well and the ball found itself to Barton in space, he proceeded to tear the defence apart with his pace and went around the cover to sprint clear, 22-5.
Drybrook were stunned and their captain was giving then a dressing down behind the posts. It seemed to have the desired effect as to their credit they came back into the game. The last 10 minutes were all Drybrook and they scored two tries, only one converted, to bring the half time score to 22-17.
Longlevens started the second half much better than they ended the first and were on the score sheet after five minutes through the hattrick hero Barton. Some good approach play by the forwards, who were carrying hard, narrowed the Drybrook defence allowing Barton to drift into space, stepping outside, then in to score under the posts, this time converted by James Butler, 29-17. Drybrook then pegged the Griffins back once more, utilising their powerful drive to bring the score to 29-22, missing another conversion.
Longlevens then took a 14-point lead into the last 10 minutes following a nice try from Dave Hughes, who was on hand to receive an inside pass from Smith to make the score 36-22. Unfortunately, the Griffins were unable to hold on to the lead as Drybrook fought back hard, scoring two good tries to bring the score level at 36 all. Both sides went for the win in the final minutes but it wasn’t to be and honours were even.
This was a great game of rugby and showed what a competitive league this is. Longlevens were disappointed to have given up a 14-point lead but will also know what a good side Drybrook are. 13 points from possible 15 during this second block of games is a good return and they go in to the rest week on a high, #UTFG.
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