Longlevens RFC

Longlevens entertained a team at Longford Lane for only the second time season, and were expecting a tough game from local rivals Old Cryptians.

The rain had been falling all night and the pitch was heavy first thing, however conditions improved and the going was good to soft by 3pm, allowing for a much more expansive game.

Longlevens started brightly and spent the first five minutes in the Crypts half. They did, however, give away four penalties in this period, allowing Crypts the chance to clear their lines. Crypts had other ideas, and decided they would run everything, a trend that continued all game, and perhaps one that limited their chances of success in this game.

From this continued pressure, Longlevens stole a lineout in the 22. From the loose ball Matt Fatica pounced and set up an attacking ruck. The ball was moved to 10 Gordon, who hit Tom Barton running a good line back against the posts. He was able to step two players and go over for the first score, converted by Jack Beck.

Levens then spent the next 20 minutes giving away penalty after penalty, and not keeping the tempo of the game high enough. Fortunately, Crypts were determined to run everything, so Levens were able to keep the pressure on from each penalty infringement, although they did elect to slot one over, making the score 7-3.

With 10 minutes of the half remaining The Griffins turned up the heat again, going over for two more converted tries. Firstly, Dan Gordon made a great break from 10, managing to fix the last man and give a flat pass to Barton to sprint clear for his second. The next score came from another stolen lineout in the Crypts 22. The forwards set up pick and go and Dave Edwards was on hand to power over, half time 21-3.

The score line wasn’t reflective of the amount of possession and dominance Longlevens had. DoR Andy Deacon didn’t hold back in letting the team know that things needed improving, mainly energy levels and the penalty count.

The second half was an improvement in terms of energy levels, with scores coming at more regular intervals, but penalties were still being given away, with some back chat to the ref creeping in. Luckily for Levens, Crypts were still determined to play the no kicking rule, which meant they were able to keep the pressure on in terms of territory.

Five minutes into the second half Levens were awarded a penalty and elected to kick to the corner. The resulting line out was taken at the front and a good drive set up, with Dave Edwards able to steer the ship home for his second, no conversion this time.

Crypts were now chasing the game and throwing even more caution to the wind. Another attempt to run out of their 22 enabled Levens to turn the ball over under the posts, quick ball was secured and spun left to Hester to finish well in the corner, ably converted by beck. Two more scores were to come the way of The Griffins in the last 10 minutes, the first a well executed 8, 9, 14 move from a scrum on the right, with winger Sykes able to dive into the corner, and Matt Fatica finished the rout on 80 minutes with a well worked try. Final score 45-8.

There were definitely more points left on the field, with work rate and a high penalty count the blame. A good win and five points nonetheless, but a much stiffer test is expected next week, away at Old Elizebethens.