Longlevens RFC

Longlevens were on the road again on Saturday and enjoyed a trip to the seaside. On arrival we were informed that the sea had encroached onto the main pitch after a heavy bout of rain, so the match was moved to the second team pitch behind the club.

The distraction didn’t seem to affect the Griffins as they warmed up very well and started the match with a much better defensive set. The defence has been a bit leaky so far this season but this was by far the most complete performance and Longlevens kept out a very determined Weston attack during the first 10 minutes. Once possession had been secured they set about using big runners like Steve Phillips to consistently get over the gain line before finally feeding the backs. Top try scorer Matt Smith showed just why he is that by coming into the line and fending off would be tacklers to go in for a great opening try, 0-5.

Weston were always going to be in the game and they came back with a well worked catch and drive effort to briefly take the lead at 7-5, before the Griffins got another score of their own. Quick phases were stretching the defence with Weston giving away penalties, Brad Wilkins tapped quickly to get the defence on the back foot before the ball was moved left for Isaac Meredith to speed in to the corner, 7-12. Wilkins then added three from the boot, followed immediately by a James Butler try. Dave Hughes acrobatically took the kick off and that set a platform for the ball to be moved. The dangerous Smith again took the ball at pace and proceeded to eat up the yards before popping inside to Butler to score under the posts, 7-22. The half was finished by Weston who scored after being awarded a very odd penalty, 14-22 at the half.

The second half began as a tight affair with the Griffins being on the wrong end of the referee’s whistle for large portions of the first 10 minutes. Weston clawed back the score with a penalty kick before Wilkins redressed the balance with one of his own. Longlevens then clicked into gear and played some great rugby to put the game beyond the opposition.

The resulting Weston kick off didn’t go the full 10 meaning a scrum was awarded on half way. The ball was again moved into space for Smith to hit another great line to break through to feed Tom Barton in support, 17-32. This was followed shortly afterwards by a try from close range from Phillips. A game of kick tennis resulted in Weston dropping the ball in the 22 meaning a good attacking scrum platform. Several phases on and Phillips found himself within five yards of the line and there was only one winner, 17-39. Weston managed to get a final try of their own through their impressive Number 8 before the game was put to bed with two final tries.

The seasiders were still trying to put things together and were playing out from their own line, only for Barton to intercept and kill off any hopes they had, and the final nail in the coffin came from the impressive Smith as he was also on hand to intercept another Weston attack from inside the Griffins 22, sprinting in to end the game at 24-53.

This was a much-improved performance and defensively sound. Scoring tries isn’t an issue, 34 so far after six games, so it was a welcome sight to see a dangerous looking Weston side being kept to three tries.

Next week sees the visit of Gloucestershire rivals Drybrook in what will no doubt be a great game, #UTFG.