LONGLEVENS TRIES 4

LONGLEVENS CONVERSIONS 3

LONGLEVENS PENALTIES 0

OLD PATS COLTS TRIES 3

OLD PATS COLTS CONVERSIONS 2

OLD PATS COLTS PENALTIES 0

Under grey skies and a soft pitch we knew it would be an arm wrestle today. Longlevens are always strong and, with us having come out on top in the National Cup recently, they were keen to avenge themselves.

We are fortunate to call on a deep pool of talent and we had 25 lads available today. A nightmare for the subs organiser, a bonus for the team. We’d need them all today.

We started fast with a scrum just outside their 22 after a knock on. Max SJ at 8 today picked up and turned on the gas in an electric burst that surprised the defence and your correspondent in equal measure. I didn’t know he was that quick!

Crossing under the posts made the conversion simple and we were ahead by seven.

It couldn’t stay this way and of course ‘Levens came back at us. A penalty allowed them to kick deep and their sizeable pack rumbled over the line but the kick was wide 5-7.

We were playing some nice stuff but giving away too many penalties which swing the momentum to them. We then received two yellow cards in quick succession which put us under huge pressure – a learning opportunity for certain!

We stole the line out but our clearance kick was charged down and they fell on the loose ball over our line 12-7.

Determined defence during our depleted period held them out with several boys putting in great tackles, none more so than Angus who seemed to be everywhere today. 12-7 at half time and all players restored, the game was in the balance.

It felt like we had kicked a little too much in the first period and, by keeping the ball in hand, we made some nice breaks. Callum charged into space early in the half and was hauled down short. Multiple forward phases pounded the home defence but, eventually, we were held up over the line.

From the drop out, we ran it back and, realising that their big lads were narrow, ran a pod outside the 10 stretching the defence. It worked, with Conor hitting it up and a sweet offload to Ben putting him under the posts. 12-14 and the wind at our backs.

It felt like we were really showing our best now and a kick return, fielded by Henry B was spun outside with Sam S racing into the wide channel. He showed commendable pace and confidence to take on several defenders and still win the race to the corner. 12-19.

We crossed the line again with Archie sniping through from close range and in heavy traffic. It seemed like he made the line but the grounding wasn’t witnessed. No try.

Longlevens came back hard with a noticeable increase in intensity in their pack with multiple phases grinding towards our line. Eventually the dam was breached and the crossed for the equalising score. About 15 to play and it hung in the balance.

Unfortunately, a knock-on fell into the hands of one of their strongest carriers and he beat several would-be tacklers to make the line with only minutes remaining. Another great break by Callum and a support line from Tris came oh-so-close to stealing it back but a desperate last-ditch tackle forced a knock on and it was time.

Our first defeat of the year was a little tough to take but many positives. The line out and scrum look strong, the effort and team spirit is excellent and the talent pool deep. Discipline and lowering the penalty count would be the work on this time. Onward to cup action next week. Allez les Pats!

Allez les Pats!

Tom Perris