Longlevens RFC

Longlevens placed one hand firmly on the league title on Saturday, comprehensively beating nearest challengers Nailsea and Backwell.

A disappointing loss earlier in the season away at Nailsea had made the Griffins determined to win this important game. Preparation had been excellent in the week, and this included in-depth video analysis to determine the best way to counter their big runners. The boys followed the script to the letter and a combination of big hits and expansive rugby totally undid Nailsea and blew them off the park.

The game started at an incredible pace with the Griffins being up 19-0 after only five minutes. Straight from the kick-off the ball was moved with intent and fly half Tom Griffiths found a hole to power through after 22 seconds to score. This was followed almost straight away with a fantastic score from Tom Barton. From the next kick-off the ball was moved left and Barton skinned the slow Nailsea defence to score from a full 75 metres, 12-0.

Nailsea were clearly stunned and were forced to give away penalties. Brad Wilkins duly kicked one of these to the corner to attempt to set up the drive. The lineout didn’t go to plan but from the loose ball Dave Edwards pounced and dived over the line for try number three after only five minutes, 19-0.

To their credit Nailsea did then get back into the game for the rest of the half. Their game is built around their big runners who play off 9 so consequently they keep the ball well. This was something Longlevens had been studying and each and every forward was outstanding in defence, continually knocking back far bigger men, meaning Nailsea eventually ran out of ideas. They did get one score close to the line though, making the half time score 19-7.

Confidence was high at half time and all 18 players were well and truly up for finishing the contest off. The all-important bonus point score came 10 minutes in through Jack Cuthbert. A series of scrums in the Nailsea 22 eventually created a chance to go blind through Griffiths who sucked in the covering defence to put Cuthbert in for a score, 26-7. The game was killed off as a contest soon after by Steve Philips, who was on hand to go over in the left corner. The ball found its way to him via a wide move to Full Back James Butler, he nearly made the line before the ball was popped up to Philips, 31-7.

Nailsea managed a consolation try through their right winger but normal service was resumed when Barton scored a quick double to secure his hattrick. The first try was another sweeping move left with Griffiths fizzing a long pass out to Barton that cut out the defence, followed finally by the ball being shipped through the hands following a stolen lineout on the right, final score 41-12.

This was the perfect example of how expansive, flowing rugby, played well, will always trump big one out runners. The players stuck to the plan well and their work rate was phenomenal. Once Nailsea realised they weren’t going to run through The Griffins, they ran out of ideas and became easy to pick off.

Both teams have to play away to Cinderford who will have a big say in who wins this league, but this victory puts Longlevens in the driving seat and it’s now up to them to back it up next week away at Old Bristolians.