LONGLEVENS RFC
LONGLEVENS 27-19 BREAM
Longlevens got back to winning ways with a closely fought encounter at Bream.The lead had changed 5
times, before 'levens edged away in the dying moments.As usual 'levens started well with most of the
game played in Bream's 22.The pressure was turned into points as Antonjetvic opened the scoring with a
penalty, then superb support play by the tireless Richard Molloy, rewarded the open side a try,barging
over from 10 yards out.The conversion was missed, then Bream started to come back strong, capitalising
on 'levens indiscipline and manage to reply with a try in the corner.
The rest of the half 'levens pressurerised Bream's back line with several crash balls from Rudge and Chant,
yet Bream got out of the trouble, via the boot of their outside half.Then, just before half time, Bream had
managed to take the ball up to 'levens 22.It was there that 'levens had a chance to clear from a scrum, but
as scrum half Neil "Chalky" White went to kick, his opposite number tackled him.The ball was spilt, which
resulted in a try by one of the loose forwards.
HALFTIME LONGLEVENS 8-10 BREAM
The second half started with Longlevens regaining the lead with 2 penalties.Bream struck back with 2 after
the referee decided to send 'levens back several yards for backchat, even though it seemed that the only
talking going on was captain Gary Henderson asking the ref what they were being penalised for.
With the score at 14-16, Longlevens forwards made use of their superior driving power and made ground into
Bream's 22.Then from a lineout 10 yards out, 'levens threw to Tom Bircher at 2, a driving maul off the second
row resulted in a try for No.8 Simon Merrett.The conversion was missed, and with Bream replying with a penalty
the score was level at 19-19.With about 10 mins of play, the game could have gone either way, with Bream using
the elements by keep 'levens pinned in their half, but a combination of the forwards driving and intelligent
play by the backs, 'levens ventured into Bream's half with intent, and as Bream were repeatingly killing the ball
in the rucks, it resulted in a penalty which Antonjetvic duly slotted over to give Longlevens the lead.
Now 'levens were finishing the game the stronger, with the pack crossing the gain line at will, with second
phase ball being spread out wide to the wings, gaining significant ground into Bream's half.Yet again the home side
consistently gave away penalties for killing the ball in the rucks which resulted in 'levens third try.The penalty was
kicked into touch on Bream's line, and a catch and drive off Deacon ensued with Tom Bircher scoring from the back of
the driving maul.The conversion was missed, and with only injury time to play, 'levens could sense victory as Bream needed
2 scores.
The result was uplifting for 'levens, after 2 league defeats and no tries scored in the last 3 matches, the win and the
3 tries scored was a boost before next week's clash with Bournemouth in the NPI cup.On the whole the team performed well,
with the pack driving well and in the backs, the return of Stu Chant gave more cohesion in attack.Man of the match goes to
flanker Richard Molloy, who was outstanding in linking with the backs as well as non stop tackling in defence.
Team ; D.Hendry,A.Jones,S.Chant,R.Rudge,M.Entwistle,G.Antonijevic,N.White,W.Speakman,S.Rowan,P.Jones,T.Bircher,M.Deacon
G.Henderson (c),R.Molloy,S.Merrett. subs not used ; J.Thomas,G.Weatherly
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Email: longlevensrfc@hotmail.com
