Match Reports

Longton 1st XV 10 v 3 South Leicester

Watch a video summary of the match here.

Longton produced one of their poorest performances in recent weeks but managed to beat South Leicester at home by 10-3pts.

On a bright, dry and windless day Longton welcomed back Chris Buck and Scott Rawlings to their back division and hoped for a continuation of the fine form shown in the last few matches. South Leicester, on the back of a heavy defeat last week, were in determined mood and from the beginning looked to use their big, powerful pack to drive the ball forward before giving it to fly half, Matt Lord to give them territory.

The home team struggled in the scrums throughout and it was left to No.8, Gareth Rawlings, to pick up at the base of a retreating pack to scramble the ball away.

The first 20mins. were fairly even with neither side really creating any clear cut chances. Longton looked the more dangerous when their backs did manage to get hold of the ball but careless passes and sloppy handling spoiled any likely scoring opportunities. Tom Smith on Longton's left wing produced one good run when he burst past several defenders but he was eventually pulled down and Grant Hallam on the other wing made good yards before he was tackled into touch.

Longton's best chance of the half came when the forwards drove the ball some 20m. before scrum half, Mark Brandon, broke off to the right. A score looked on either for the Longton No.9 or No.8, Joel Booth, outside him but the pass was put down and the chance lost.

South Leicester broke the deadlock on 22mins. when Lord put over a 35m. penalty for offside at a ruck to give his side a 3--0pts lead.

Longton were still making basic errors and giving away too many silly penalties for fringing at the breakdown, all of which kept them on the backfoot. However, they finally got the scoreboard ticking when John Smith and Scott Rawlings both punched holes through the middle of the visitors' defence to take play in front of the South Leicester posts where a penalty was awarded for Scott Rawlings to slot over to bring the scores level at 3-3pts.

On the half hour Lord had a chance to restore the visitors' lead from a 45m. penalty but his well struck kick was just wide of the uprights. Just after this, the South Leicester flanker, Castrigiovanni, was sin binned, giving Longton a chance to win cleaner scrum ball for 10mins. at least but there was no further scoring in the half.
 
Longton brought on second row, Rich Thompson, at the start of the second half to bolster their lineout threat on the opposition ball. This was one area of the game where the home team were dominant with Rich Kelly and Gareth Rawlings soaring high to easily win their own ball and to threaten, and often win or spoil, the opposition throw.

After 12mins. of the second half Longton finally managed to string together a series of passes. The forwards drove the ball into the away half before man of the match, Mark Brandon, spun it out on the blindside. Two passes later and winger, Tom Smith, scorched into the corner for a fine try which was superbly converted by Scott Rawlings to put Longton 10-3pts. in the lead.

Longton were now beginning to get on top of their tiring opponents and began to be a little more adventurous. Chris Buck made a slicing break through the middle of the defence but his long pass just failed to go to hand and a promising move down the right flank again did not bring its reward.

Longton had a chance to increase their lead in the 23rd. minute with a penalty from 35m. but Scott Rawlings well struck kick went just wide. Apart from one brief flurry into the Longton "22", from which Paul Green cleared with a towering kick, South Leicester were largely kept in check.

With just 3 minutes of normal time remaining, Longton had a further penalty opportunity, this time from 40m. but, again, Scott Rawlings kick sailed wide of the posts and a scrappy match ended with Longton grateful for the 10-3pts. victory after a disappointing performance.

Next week Longton travel down to Herefordshire to meet tough opposition in Luctonians and they will be without the unavailable Rich Thompson and Kieron Healey but their back division will be bolstered by the availability of Ben and Dan Robson, assuming the latter comes through his England debut against Australia unscathed.
 

M. Wheat.