LONGLEVENS RFC
LONGLEVENS 3 - 27 BARTON HILL
For the third time is as many weeks, failure to turn pressure into points brought a home loss to the 1xv, who needed to win to
keep in touch with the league leaders Barton Hill.
The first half started promisingly with 'levens having territorial advantage,with Sims and Deacon managing to steal lineout ball,
but crucially with Barton Hill having a far heavier and stronger pack, 'levens scrum was not solid enough to give a good
attacking platform for the backs where it counted.Having spent time in 'Hill's half, the visitors used their forwards effectively
with some strong driving into 'levens half, which resulted in in converted try.Longlevens replied with a penalty but still
couldn't cross the try line, despite pressure in 'Hill's 22.Once again the visitor's took their chances with a quick tap penalty
and resulted in the scrum half touching down in the corner before half time.
HALF TIME LONGLEVENS 3 - 15 BARTON HILL
In the second half Barton Hill controlled the match, with Longlevens' throwing caution to wind trying to catch up, and when
a mistake was made by the 'levens centres in their own 22, Hill recycled the ball through a series of rucks and finished off
with a try in the corner.By now Hill were looking home and dry despite several attempts by 'levens pack to burst through their
defence, only to knock on or lose possession at the vital moment.To add insult to injury,lock Rob Sims had to stretchered
off after falling onto his ankle during a lineout and was replaced by Justin Thomas.Also Eddie Cross was replaced by Mark
Taylor only for himself to be taken off after damaging his knee, thus leaving Longlevens to finish the match with 14 men.Then
in the dying minutes, 'Hill were awarded a very dubious penalty try, after 'levens had apparently collapsed a scrum on their
own line, even though they had not received any warning by the referee.
With the try converted, 'levens spent the dying minutes looking for a consilation score, only to have their efforts soaked by
Barton Hill's resilent defence, spearheaded by their back row, who had worked tirelessly through the game.
The final result was 27-3 to Barton Hill, the scoreline was flattering, it was just a case of only one team took their chances.
Worryingly for Longlevens is that this was the 3rd week without a try, relying on the boot of Antojetvic for the points.
One positive outcome from this game was 'levens full back Darren Hendry.After his two mistakes cost 'levens the game and
two points the previous week, he had a good game with some fine runs, breaking tackles and was also solid in defence.
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Email: longlevensrfc@hotmail.com
