Longlevens 1st team played their first Senior Combination Cup game against higher League opposition, Chosen Hill FP this last Tuesday. This being a very local derby the players and staff were definitely up for it and it showed in what was a first class performance in driving wind and rain.
As you can imagine the conditions dictated the style of rugby both teams could play, but the Griffins were dominant from start to finish and managed the game very well through hard work up front and a great kciking game from Brad Wilkins and Louis Boyd.
The first score came from the boot of Wilkins, knocking over a penalty after just 10 minutes. Longlevens were camped in the Chosen half and were knocking at the door and ironically, considering the conditions their first try was scored wide out by Boyd after some expansive play. Boyd still had much to do but finished well in the corner, 0-10.
This was to be the half time score and with the weather worsening the message was to kick deep and allow Chosen to try and get out against the wind and rain.
The tactics paid off perfectly, as apart from a 10 minute period of possession where they scored their oinly try, the Griffins were in the Chosen half all the second half. Each forward was working hard and making strong runs, especially Jack Cuthbert who powered over from short range to finish the game off at 5-15.
The winner of this game were always going to be the side that wanted to be out there in the freezing, driving rain, and on balance it was the Grifins who wanted it more.
This was a season defining victory and set the team up for a Combo cup run.
It was the start of a great week in the cup as the seconds beat Gordon League by 59 points and the thirds put 60 on All Blues.
The draws for the next round were made last night and they are as follows:
Coney Hill 1st v Longlevens 1st (semi-final) - Tuesday 18th April, 6pm ko.
Longlevens 2nd v Matson 2nd (quarter-final) - Wednesday 19th April, 6pm ko.
Matson 3rd v Longlevens 3rd (semi-final) - Thursday 20th April, 6pm ko.
The first team also have an away cup game in the national Cup, traveling to Bath to Play Combe Down RFC this Saturday, bus leaving at 11.30am.
It is very much game on for four cup finals this season!
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