Match Reports

Longton 1st XV 21 v 15 Ampthill

In a match of high quality Longton defeated runaway league leaders, Ampthill, by 21 -15pts. at Trentham Fields.

On a fine, dry day and on a perfect playing surface, despite recent frost, Ampthill took an early lead through a beautifully struck penalty from fly half, Davies, the kick covering 50m. This early setback did not upset a Longton side gaining in confidence with every game and it was only 5mins. later that they got right back into the match. Good play from forwards and backs saw Ampthill driven deep into their own "22" where the ball was spun out to the home backs. With the defence perhaps expecting a charge from powerful centre, Scott Rawlings, it was the equally powerful Paul Green who showed both power and good footwork to skip through the defensive line and score a superb try under the posts. Chris Buck's successful conversion made the score 7 - 3pts. to Longton.

Only 2mins. later Ampthill had a chance to close the gap with another long range penalty but this time the kick drifted wide.
 
Longton were beginning to dominate the exchanges and the front row of Mark Baker, Craig Wilson and Matt Davies were more than holding their own against their more experienced opponents who included Simon Emms the former Northampton prop. Despite playing into the wind the home team were having the lion's share of territory and it was from one such sortie into the Ampthill "22" that the next score came, as the visitors conceded a penalty only 10m. from the try line and just to the left of the posts. Chris Buck slotted over the kick for a simple 3pts. to put Longton 10-3pts. up.
For the next 20mins. this high quality game ebbed and flowed both ways with both sides playing with great intensity but not able to penetrate each's defences although Longton always looked the more likely to break through with Rich Thompson, Rich Kelly and Gareth Rawlings dominating the lineouts and Joel Booth and Kieran Healey rampaging in the loose. In defence, full back, Lee Brogan, was having a superb game with his faultless positional play and safe hands, backed up by wingers Ula Ulavucu and Grant Hallam. Scrum half, Mark Brandon, kept his pack moving forwards with some towering kicks from the base of scrums and linouts.
 
Longton increased their lead in the 35th. minute of the first half with one of the tries of the season. Starting on the left, fly half, Chris Buck, hit a beautifully weighted cross kick to winger, Grant Hallam, who cut inside his man before linking up with Paul Green on his inside. The powerful centre charged forward and from the ensuing ruck the ball was quickly switched back to the left where it went through several pairs of hands before Scott Rawlings drew the last of the cover defence and slipping a perfectly judged pass to winger, Ula Ulavucu. The speedy Fijian jetted into the corner for an excellent try. Chris Buck's conversion from the touchline fell just short but Longton now led by 15-3pts. going into the half time break.
 
Longton now had the advantage of the wind and soon made this pay when only 5mins. into the 2nd. half Chris Buck landed a 35m. penalty to make the score 18-3pts. However, Ampthill are not runaway league leaders for nothing and they struck back on 9mins. with a try of their own as they exploited an overlap to score wide out. The conversion failed but the margin was now narrowed to 18-8pts. Longton were though playing sensible rugby and used probing kicks into the corners to push Ampthill back into their own "22". The pressure told and the visitors conceded a penalty some 45m. out which gave Chris Buck another opportunity to demonstrate his fine kicking form as he planted the kick firmly between the uprights to make the score 21-8pts. to Longton.

The normally dominant Ampthill pack were being held by the fierce commitment of the Longton eight and the hosts enjoyed both possession and territory for the next 10mins. Once again, however, Ampthill showed their never-say-die attitude as they created an overlap on the left flank and exploited it to the full as winger Shaw sped in for a fine try. Davies landed the conversion with a superb kick and with 15mins. to go the game was now wide open at 21-15pts.

Longton refused to panic and continued to play sensible territorial rugby, keeping much of the game in the visitor's half. Still Ampthill were not finished and in the last few minutes they mounted a series of attacks deep into home half. It came as somewhat of a great relief when with the last play of the match Longton won a scrum ball near their own line and gratefully booted the ball off the park to claim a fine scalp, taking their recent good form to 8 wins from the last 10 matches, with the two losses both coming in injury time away to high flyers, Bromsgrove and Hinckley.
 
Next week Longton travel to bottom club, Bedford Athletic, who have yet to record a win this season and must guard against complacency if they are to avoid a shock.
 

M. Wheat.