Longlevens RFC

After a tricky start to 2023 Longlevens came into this match with plenty of confidence following last week’s 100-point drubbing of Avonmouth. The players and staff were under no illusions that this fixture would be easy, not many teams go to Barton Hill and win well.

The first 20 minutes seemed to prove that point, the Griffins played with great pace and energy but were having trouble breaking down the stubborn Barts defence. Louis Boyd, starting his first game at Fly Half, was utilising the game plan well and playing wide out the back of the forwards, but no rewards were coming yet. After 20 minutes the outside backs finally found some space and Matt Smith made a nice break from full back. He set off left and found winger Jake Fox who stepped outside and in and beat the cover and go over for his first of a fruitful day, converted by the very reliable Wilkins, 0-7.

Things were clicking for Levens and five minutes later an almost identical score came the way of Fox. Centre James Winson made a break up the right and the ball was moved back left to Smith who again found Fox to step in and out to score, 0-14.

The team were really starting to enjoy themselves and play with freedom now and a third similar try was scored by Fox. This time it was Mike Yorke working up the right touchline and Winson linking up with Fox on the left, who was giving his opposite man a torrid time with his pace and agility, 0-21.

The Griffins decided to mix it up and score a different kind of try next. Matt Smith fielded a kick from Barton Hill and motored to the left to link up with the forwards. Jack Cuthbert made some powerful yards and was able to get a pass away to Dave Edwards to barrel over for the bonus point try, again converted by Wilkins in very windy conditions, half time 0-28.

The second half gave Longlevens the slope but meant they were now playing against the wind. This didn’t stop the pressure and they were able to get themselves into the Barts 22 at will. From a tap penalty under the posts Wilkins passed to Edwards on the wrap around, receiving the pass back and going under the posts, 0-35.

Next to score was Yorke who received the ball wide right after fast paced phases from the forwards. He still had lots to do and beat five defenders to run around under the posts, 0-42. The bench was then emptied to give players a rest ready for next week, and this coupled with a yellow card for Sam Oliver, disrupted the Longlevens defence. Barton Hill were able to find holes in an otherwise solid defence for a 10 minute period and scored two converted tries of their own, 14-42.

The ship was steadied once back to 15 players and the tries continued. Ben Collier made a nice break down the right to offload to Yorke for his second, followed by a first try for Winson, who benefited from a bulldozing run from Matt Fatica to sprint over, 14-56.

The forwards were now getting in on the act and carrying well, Joe Weatherley, Cam Jones and Josh Lyons were making yards and creating space and this enabled Matt Smith to score wide right with a well taken try. This caused Wilkins to have his only blip of the day with the boot though, 14-61.

With 10 minutes left the boys still had plenty in the tank and were throwing the ball about at will. Fox scored his fourth after the Barts defence had been stretched, going over from half way and outpacing the defence yet again, 14-68.

The best was saved for last though as the Griffins scored from first phase ball a full 70 yards out. From a scrum on the right the backs called a wide move that checked all of the Barts defenders and allowed space of Fox to go in for try number five for him, full time score 14-75.

This was a fantastic result and backed up last week’s score, showing the league that Longlevens are still very much in with a shout. There were some great performances all round with prop Harvey Walsingham showing he is making great strides in his apprenticeship, out scrummaging a much bigger and more experienced player, and Louis Boyd showing what a good 10 he is.

Next week is the crunch match with an away trip to Cinderford against the league leaders, with the Griffins hoping to do the double over them.