Sat 11 Jan 2025
After a late pitch inspection Longlevens received the very welcome news that this game was on and hastily made their way to South Bristol.
On arrival it was noticeably warmer than Gloucester, and the pitch was in good condition. After a brief warm up the game kicked off and Longlevens were straight into action, moving the ball well and making inroads into the Keynsham defence.
It didn’t take long for the Griffins to get the first score and it was a well worked try for Isaac Meredith. The ball was moved through the hands and it found Meredith wide right on a good line to go over, 0-5.
Soon after a similar try was scored through Tom Barton after he was on the end of another sweeping move left to speed in at the corner, 0-10.
Longlevens were in the ascendency and had the lion’s share of possession but weren’t able to finish chances off. This, coupled with a creaking scrum set up a pulsating second half, HT score, 0-10.
The scrum issues that the Griffins were facing meant Keynsham were kept in the game, they scored two push over tries to bring the score level and make it a closer game than it needed to be. Longlevens were playing all the rugby but scrum pens and yellow cards were making life very difficult.
Another well worked try for Meredith opened things up again but shortly after a penalty try was awarded to the hosts from another scrum going backwards near the line, 17-17.
To their credit the Griffins didn’t stop playing rugby and executed a nice catch and drive for Ben Collier to score, 17-24.
This felt like it could’ve been the winning score but straight from the kick off the ball was fumbled and Keynsham were able to hack the ball forward and go over for an equalling score, 24-24.
The last 10 minutes were very fraught, with Longlevens desperate to get the winning score. They thought this had happened when they moved the ball left into space. The last pass to winger Jake Fox was deliberately knocked on and all watching thought it must be a penalty try, however the ref had other ideas.
Determined to still leave with all five points the Griffins kept possession and chipped away at the Keynsham defence. A ruck was set up under posts after good phases and replacement, Jack Muncaster, who moments earlier had made a try saving tackle, burst through to over and win the game, 24-31.
This was a pleasing win, Longlevens had played all the rugby and should have been more up at half time. The boys dealt with the adversity of the scrum well and special mention goes to Dave Hughes for filling in at hooker for most of the second half.
Next week we welcome Weston Super Mare, who beat league leaders Chippenham, for what will be another tough game, #UTFG.
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