Longlevens RFC

Longlevens were back in action on Saturday after the break week and fielded a much-changed side. Due to illness, injuries and unavailability some of the younger players were given a chance to shine, 18 years olds Carlos Jenkins and Jacob Holman-Jones made their debuts, and it was a first start for Hartpury student James Winson.

The Griffins have suffered from a number of slow starts this season and so it continued this Saturday. Mistakes were also creeping in alongside five penalties in the first seven minutes which contributed to OBs getting the first try of the day, unconverted, 0-5.

Levens then managed to control the game better and a series of penalties enabled Wilkins to drill the ball into the corner. An excellent lineout was converted into a good drive and Hooker Cam Jones was on hand to flop over the line from the back of the maul, converted, 7-5.

The game went quiet for 20 minutes with both sides having equal possession but not doing much with it, poor decisions and wrong options were a running theme. Levens then got on the score sheet again through Josh Stratton, finishing off an almost identical catch and drive, making the half time score 12-5.

After some sage advice from the coaches at half time the team went out to rectify the issues. They were given a boost on 42 minutes when an OBs player tip tackled Louis Boesley and got himself a red card. Ironically, OBs were the better side for the first 15 minutes of the half, despite the disadvantage, and managed a try through an interception, Sam Oliver throwing the pie and gifting seven points, 12-12.

The Griffins then took control and started to play the rugby they know they can. Another catch and drive set up was held up and OBs dropped out from under the sticks. Mark Hancock received the ball and moved it inside to Jed Holman-Jones, he made good yards through the defence to pass to debutant Jenkins who went over on the right, converted, 19-12.

The game was put to bed by two excellent Jake Fox tries. The first was created by a long-range pass from Tom Griffiths who whipped the ball left to Fox. He then showed his man the inside and stepped around hm to go clear. The second came from a loose kick that was fielded by Griffiths who sent another long pass to Fox who again beat is man for pace, converted, 31-12. There was time for OBs to get a consolation making the final score 31-17.

This wasn’t a vintage performance and OBs may feel they deserved more from the game, but the boys are showing they know what to do to win games and unbeaten at the top of the league is not to be sniffed at.

Next up is an away trip to the Mendips to play Midsomer Norton.