Longlevens RFC

Longlevens RFC U18 V Dursley RFC U18

Date: Sunday 28^th November 2021

Final Score:  Longlevens 31 Dursley 24

Dursley arrived short of players, fortunately longlevens had 19 players on the day, so Aquilla, Sam and Chris K along with Joe played for Dursley in the first half.

Despite the forecast and the Biblical storms on the day before the afternoon was cold otherwise perfect for playing rugby.

The referee for the game unfortunately became ill in the morning of the game, however Director of Rugby Andy Deacon stepped into the role to the relief of both teams.

The first 30 mins of the game was a messy affair with both teams really well matched in terms of endeavour and ability, but with lots of penalties around the break down, knock on’s and line out mistakes creating a stop start game.

33 mins – Dursley Try – A clean lineout catch by Dursley provided a good platform for a further 3 good phases of play created space out on the wing for the full back to score in the corner.

 Score 0-5

The conversion from the touch line was converted by Chris K ( levens Player) much to the unhappiness of the Longlevens players !

Score 0-7

34 mins – An Injury for McCauley forced a change in personnel which meant Rav moved to prop and Joe moved to back row.

Half Time Score 0-7

A change of borrowed longlevens players meant that Alfie, Jack and Jayden Played for Dursley in the second half.

The second half seemed to start with much better accuracy and belief from Longlevens after a stern chat at the half time break.

38 Mins – Longlevens try – A kick from Dursley to clear the lines was gathered by Iman on the halfway line and for the first time a small gap defence appeared which he exploited and then used his great pace to out sprint the back field from Dursley. Conversion was missed from the touch line

Score  5-7

40 Mins – Dursley try – A lineout from Longlevens is secured and distributed through the hands in the backs, but the Dursley Centre intercepts the pass between our centres to have an easy run in between the posts. The conversion is Good.

Score = 5-14

44 Mins – Dursley try – Another loose pass by Longlevens fell to the ground only for the centre from Dursley to pick it up on the run and then out sprint the covering defence from longlevens to the right of  the posts.. The conversion was wide.

Score = 5-19

48 Mins – Longlevens try – Carlos at nine picked up from the ruck on the 22 yds line and dummied a pass to create the gap on the edge of the ruck to dart through and score just left of the posts. conversion is good.

Score = 12 -19

55 Mins – Dursley try – A lineout on the longlevens 5 yd line is secured by Dursley which is then brought into a midfield ruck, the ball was recycled quickly and then span out wide for the winger to score in the corner. Conversion is missed.

Score = 12- 24

60 Mins – Longlevens try – Great play from Longlevens, six good phases of good clean rucks sucked in the Dursley defence to one side of the pitch allowed the backs to put in a miss pass to Robbo to go through a gap and score just left of the posts. Conversion is good.

Score = 19- 24

62 Mins – Longlevens try – Best Play of the game. Straight from the kick-off Longlevens ran straight and offloaded superbly with at least 10m pairs of hands touching the ball before Robbo scored in the corner. Conversion from the touch line sailed between the sticks.

Score = 26- 24

Longlevens had their tails up now and had the confidence to collect a good clearing kick from Dusley to the halfway line. James M collected the ball at the halfway line and ran direct straight back at Dursley, the 3 subsequent off loads by the Longlevens team were excellent and the last pass found Connor with some work to do, but he drove the last 10 yds over the line to score a great try. Conversion was missed.

Score = 31 -24

Full time Score = 31-24

This was a great neutral game to watch, played in the right spirit by both teams showing some real quality in the second half.