Longlevens RFC

Sunday 30th January 2022

This was a repeat fixture from the home fixture in game 2 at Longford Lane where Cinderford RFC provided Levens with a physical/ abrasive performance. The Longlevens team turned up with the bare 15, However Cinderford also struggled for numbers and requested uncontested scrums. The pitch was huge, and the wind was howling, so a great day for Rugby.

5 Mins- The opening 5 minutes was dominated by Cinderford and had the help of the wind on their backs. consistent pressure from the home side enabled a good field position in which from 10 yards out the number 6 ran over and scored the opening try. Conversion completed. Score 7-0 15 Mins – Cinderford used the kicking game well and pressurised a mistake from levens on the edge of the 22. From the resultant scrum and 3 phases the number 10 popped a short ball to the centre who ran through a gap in the levens defence and scored under the posts. Conversion completed. Score 14-0 25 mins – After a first period of sustained possession for levens , Cinderford gave away a penalty by the half way line. From the lineout on the 22 yard line longlevens created some quick ruck ball which sucked in the Cinderford defence. Three quick passes saw Jack Holford in space to score out wide. The conversion was missed. 33 Mins – Longlevens Try – Several penalties given away by Cinderford allowed Longlevens to progress up the pitch with scrums and lineouts. One final penalty 5 yards out allowed Connor to tap and go but fell just short of the line . McCauley Ayres picked up from the ruck and drove over the line to score. No Conversion. 35 Mins – Cinderford Try – Multiple penalties conceded by Longlevens afforded Cinderford prime position in the middle of the pitch and 15 yards out. From the scrum the number 9 picked up and ran sideways across the pitch and popped a short ball to the centre cutting a straight line through the defence to score. No conversion.

Half Time Score 19 -10

The start of the second half started well with Longlevens dominating possession. 45 Mins – Longlevens try – Carlos Jenkins found a gap and darted through to score from 20 yards out. The conversion was successful. Score = 19-17 58 Mins – Cinderford Try – A great kick chase from Cinderford put pressure on the Full back to cause a knock on within the 22. From the resultant scrum Cinderford played three clean phases and then some slick passing out to the Centre to score. The conversion was Missed Score = 26-17 60 mins- Longlevens Try – From the kick off Longlevens turned the ball over and worked their way up the pitch via 5 great phases of play . A quick set of passes put Robbo along the line where he was tackled 5 yds out but managed to pop it up for another jack Holford try in the corner. No Conversion.

Full time Score = 26-22

This well-matched game played in the right spirit was great to watch and showed in patches just how good Longlevens can be with a bit more game management and belief.