Longlevens Rugby 2nd team travelled to Cheltenham Saracens RFC in a rearranged league game and come away with the full 5 points with a dominant performance.
Longlevens started brightly putting Saracens under pressure and inside the first 5 minutes several phases left second row Mike Bevan to cut a lovely angle to score under the post converted by fly half Zak Oliver 7-0.
Next on the score sheet after a grubber kick through by Zak Oliver put Saracens 5 meters from their own line. A steal by captain Martin Deacon set up a ruck and prop Henry Gardner found space down the blindside to score in the corner 12-0.
Longlevens now had complete dominance, and the next score was a well set up maul that allowed Louis Spencer who was returning from several years away from the club to score in his second appearance back.
Next on the score sheet was another returning player who through work commitments was making an appearance Olliver Deacon who again capitalised on another well set up line-out catch and drive to score the bonus point score, 22-0 up and Longlevens were in total control.
There was 2 more tries in the first half first from centre Ben Furley intercept and another from Sam Oliver who cut a short line leaving the half time score 36-0.
The second half started but Longlevens did not and the first score of the half was a deserved score for the Saracens 10 who tackled and run hard all game 36-7.
Longlevens soon put some phases together and a second for Sam Oliver soon followed, converted by Zak Oliver 43-7.From the restart Longlevens switched off and with the ball bouncing Sarries collected the ball and dispute looking like a foot in touch the ref awarded the try 43-12.
Longlevens were to score two more tries first through prop Dan smith who capitalised on a loose line out to use his power to go over, the final score was a hattrick try for Sam Oliver.
With the game won Sarries scored a consolation try leaving the final score 53-17.
After 3 defeats this was a much needed win for Longlevens, and a deserved victory as they dominated from start to finish. There was plenty of positives but the most positive was the return of players who had been unavailable most notable Harvey Washington who suffered a nasty leg injury in preseason and managed 40 minutes unscathed.
On Saturday Longlevens Rugby seconds welcome Chosen Hill FPRFC 2nds looking to build momentum from this impressive win.
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