Longlevens RFC

Longlevens played at home for only the fourth time this season, so it was good to step out onto the hallowed Longford Lane turf. The reverse fixture at the start of the season was a convincing away win, but Hucclecote have improved so the players and staff knew this would be a much stiffer test, and so it proved.

It was a cold day and the surface was greasy underfoot, so the game began in a scrapy manner with no side able to gain a foothold. Levens did manage to get an early score though through Louis Boseley, who pounced on a loose ball from a Hucclecote lineout 5m out, converted by Wilkins, playing his 50th game, 7-0. 

The afternoon then turned into a rather frustrating one for Levens, with some poor game management and simple mistakes creeping in. Time and again good possession was given up by either poor kicking or poor decision making so the game became disjointed, with the players unable to string phases together. During this period Hucclecote were able to get on the score sheet, working the ball wide through scrappy passes, one of which was through the legs, but still managing to beat the defence on the edge, score now 7-5. 

The last five minutes of the half arguably won the game for Levens, and papered over the cracks of a poor performance. From a scrum centre field, the ball was moved right to Sam Oliver who made good ground blind. Quick ball was secured and found its way to Sam Hester who finished very well in the corner, 12-5. 

The final score of the half was a very well worked try straight from the training ground. A lineout on the right was won and moved off the top to Mark Hancock midfield, the ball was then whipped back right to Matt Smith, who hit a great line to make yardage towards the 22.  The ball eventually got into the hands of Jed Holman-Jones who powered over for a converted try, 19-5 at half time, coach Luke Stratford will be pleased when he watches it back on video no doubt.

The hope was that after this last five minutes the boys would kick on in the second half, but apart from one score, that wasn't to be. Matt Smith finished off some good work by Jed Holman-Jones on the right to take the score to 26-5, but with 30 minutes still left to play the foot was taken off the gas. Hucclecote were able to get two scores of their own through capitalising on Levens mistakes, meaning it was an 11-point game with 10 minutes to go. 

Hucclecote camped on the Levens try line for most of that period knowing that as a minimum a try would gain them two points, and maybe a victory if they could sneak two. To their credit the Longlevens defence was excellent and they showed great character to keep them out and deny them any match points. 

Next week sees another home game against Ross on Wye where the boys will be hoping for an improved performance.