Longlevens RFC

Longlevens made the long trip down to Midsomer Norton on Saturday hoping to avenge last years’ defeat, and they didn’t disappoint.

Despite the final score line the first half was a very close affair with both sides creating chances and scoring some good tries. First off the mark were Norton with Ben Taylor knocking over a penalty to make it 3-0, however the Griffins responded almost immediately through Jed Holman-Jones. From the kick off the Norton scrum half box kicked downfield only for Holman-Jones to catch on the full and sprint unchallenged from the half way line to score a great try, 3-5.

Norton then pegged back the lead with another Taylor penalty making it 6-5. The game then ebbed and flowed with the Griffins being guilty of giving away too many penalties.  However, they soon got back in front with a fine try from James Butler. A lineout on the half way line was driven 20 metres down field and from a resulting ruck Butler executed a nice dummy to snipe under the posts, converted by himself to make it 6-12.

Longlevens were looking to push on from there but were pegged back again when the Norton Blindside winger hit a good line from distance and beat the Griffins cover for pace to score, 13-12. Memories of last season began to surface and some nerves started to set in, a try before half time was needed to calm them and that’s what Ethan Hunt delivered. From a ruck on the Griffins 10 metre line man of the match Jed made a line break to the 22 and put Hunt in under the posts to make the half time score 13-19.

The team knew that two quick scores would put an end to the Norton fight so a fast start was required. Unfortunately, penalties crept in almost straight after the re-start and one was kicked to the corner by Norton. The line out was scrappy and Norton 12 Taylor was able to pick up the ball and make yards through the Griffins defence. He was able to offload to Hugh Jeffery who went in unopposed to give Norton a slender one-point lead, 20-19.

The Griffins didn’t panic and set up attacks using their structure and shape. From one attack the ball was moved slickly through the hands going left and Tom Barton was able to step back against the cover to beat three defenders and scorch in, 20-26. Crucially this was followed up with another try five minutes later which effectively knocked the fight out of Norton. Waves of attacks were now coming and strong runners were getting over the gain line. The ball was moved right this time and Tom Griffiths took the ball at first receiver and dummied his way through the defence, 20-33.

Next to score was Jake Fox who picked up a loose ball following a great hit on a Norton forward. He still had lots to do as he had a full 60 metres to go. He used his pace to break clear to the 22 then turned the defensive cover inside out to go under the posts, 20-40. The was followed by a try soon after by Dave Hughes who picked close to the line to power over, his first try for the club, 20-47, and straight from the resulting kick off another try was scored. Mike Yorke made a nice break through the middle and draw the last defender to put Hunt away for his second from distance, 20-54.

Norton then managed to get a dubious one of their own, with Jeffery chasing a kick into the Longlevens try line that looked like it was touched down first by Yorke, however the ref saw it differently and awarded the try. The game was finished by the Griffins though with Griffiths putting a lovely Crossfield kick in for Barton to catch and go over, making the final score 25-59.

This was a very entertaining game and was a good victory in the end. Norton Down is a hard place to play and the score line was comprehensive at the end.

A rest week follows before the big one at home to Nailsea and Backwell on 27^th January. All of Longlevens will be hoping Cinderford can do us a favour before that though.