Longlevens RFC

Longlevens Rugby 2nds were to play their sixth league game of the season at home to Cheltenham Saracens RFC.

It’s a great show of where the club is as only a few years back the first team were having competitive games against todays opposition.
Longlevens have been struggling to start fast in recent weeks but this week was different  as they raced into a 17-0 lead thanks to a Zak Oliver penalty and a great individual try by Jack Beck who chipped over the top and raced onto the ball converted by Zak Oliver.
Next on the score sheet was Sam Oliver after the ball was spread to one wing then the other allowing Sam Oliver to slide in converted again by Zak Oliver 17-0 up in 20 minutes.
Sarries we’re now getting their hands on the ball and using their big runners to get over the gain line resulting in a try which followed closely by a penalty leaving the score 17-10.
Longlevens were struggling with the big ball carriers and soon another try followed for the away side which left the half time score Longlevens winning narrowly 17-15.
The second half started how the first finished with Sarries scoring a quick try and a penalty leaving Longlevens trailing for the first time 17-23.
Longlevens regrouped and got back into the game forcing penalties from sarries which resulted in a well set up catch and drive allowing the returning Elliot Fortey to dive over the line Longlevens back in front 24-23.
Longlevens extended their lead soon after with a Zak Oliver penalty leaving the score 27-23.
Longlevens we’re now in control and with 80 minutes on the clock James Moseley scored in the corner after a good break by Luca Parry and it looked like Longlevens were in for a victory 32-23.
With the stoppage time Sarries managed to get their hands on the ball and again used their big runners to score a try. The sides thought that this would be full time but sadly the ref said there was still 6 minutes to play, Luca Parry again made a great break and looked like Longlevens were going to see the game out, but in the 12th minute of injury time the sarries winger found space and scored a try to Longlevens desperation leaving sarries winning the game 32-37.
It was a close game which on another day Longlevens would be picking up the full 5 points.
Full credit must go to sarries to get the 2 late scores, all is not lost with Longlevens seconds narrowly losing to the teams sitting second and third in the league in recent weeks.
A tough test away to league leaders Gloucester Old Boys face Longlevens seconds on Saturday