Longlevens RFC

In what was a very trying weekend for Longlevens Rugby, with both the first and second team league games cancelled by the opposition, the second team provided some much-needed positivity by beating a very strong Dursley outfit. 

On arrival the news came through that Dursley firsts had also had their match cancelled, so they bolstered their 2s with a few first team players, so Levens knew this would be a competitive game.

Levens were the first off the mark with a very well taken try by Henry York. Good build up play allowed number 8 Steve Philips to break a few tackles in midfield, and from the resulting ruck the ball was moved blind. Outside half Ben Furley hit York with a short pop, who ran a great line to sprint clear. Furley converted to make it 0-7.

Dursley hit back almost straight away with a well worked try of their own. From a scrum on the right the ball was moved blind for their winger to outstrip the defence, crucially not converted. The game then ebbed and flowed, with both sides creating chances but being let down by poor skills. 

Dursley finished the scoring off for the half with a try from nothing. Their 13, who was to be a thorn in Leven's side all game, picked up a loose ball and managed to jink through numerous and then show the covering defence a clean pair of heals to go under the posts, half time 12-7.

The second half started as the first had finished, with the Dursley 13 giving the Levens defence plenty to think about. He stepped through a gap to open up the field, allowing Dursley to go over for their third, not converted 17-7.

Most sides would have crumbled at this point. It was cold, windy, and a few spots of rain were beginning to fall, however the men of Longlevens are made of sterner stuff. The fightback started through Billy Hambling, who finished off some good work by Philips in midfield. He was able to draw in three defenders and get the ball away to Hambling to skate over in the corner, 17-12.

Levens were then able to get into the lead through continuous pressure and benefiting from Dursley indiscipline. From close range Philips was able to power over, converted by Furley to take the lead 17-19, crucially getting the psychological advantage. 

With 20 minutes now left on the clock Dursley knew they needed to fight back, which they did with a well taken try, their centre dummying through the defence to score a converted try 24-19.

With the clock ticking away and Levens in the ascendency there was a quiet expectation that this game was going to be won. Scrum half Miller, who had a very good game controlling the pack and giving good service to Furley, made good yards from a scruffy line out on the right, He made it to within five yards of the line and the ball was worked left to Furley. In what was a carbon copy of the first try, York hit a fantastic line to go over wide out, making the score 24-24. Furley placed the ball with confidence and dissected the posts to make the final score 24-26.

This was a great advert for second team rugby and all involved were grateful to get on to the pitch considering all the cancellations of the day.