Match Reports

Longton 1st XV 26 v 16 Bromsgrove

Following the deduction of 10 points from league leaders, Ampthill, new leaders Bromsgrove visited Trentham Fields and were well beaten by 26-16pts, the scoreline not reflecting Longton's superiority throughout the game.

 
Once again Longton made their customary sluggish start as they made a poor job of receiving the kick off, conceding a line out on their "22" metre line. Bromsgrove looked to capitalise on this early territorial advantage and when they were awarded a penalty from short range on 4 minutes they opted for the scrum. Although they failed to take full advantage of this put-in they did win a second penalty and this time the kick was taken and duly slotted over to give the visitors a 3-0pts. lead.

Longton came back strongly and began to dominate field position but although they spent some period in the visitors "22m" zone they could not string the final passes together. Scott Rawlings was brushing would-be tacklers off up the middle but spilled ball and some mis-directed passes conspired to leave Longton scoreless in this spell.
In the 19th. minute Bromsgrove made only their second incursion into the Longton "22" but once again came away with 3 points as the home defence conceded another careless penalty for offside in front of their own posts for the visitors to take a 6-0pts. lead.

The home team resumed their territorial domination but a high error count prevented them from registering a score and as half time was due Bromsgrove scored a surprise try when a long speculative clearance kick out of defence was fumbled by Longton to enable a following up visitor to scoop up the ball and gallop in for an unexpected try, the successful conversion of which saw Bromsgrove go into the break with a very flattering 13-0pts. lead.

 
Longton had the benefit of the wind in the second half and from the kick off took play deep into Bromsgrove territory. The Longton pack led by Gareth Rawlings now scented blood and soon earned a penalty some 40m. out. Scott Rawlings stepped up to drill over the kick to reduce the arrears to 13-3pts. The hosts went immediately back onto the attack and after 6mins. of the half were awarded a second penalty, this time from only 28m. out; once again, Scott Rawlings fired his kick between the uprights to claw back 3 more points and at 13-6pts. Longton sensed that they had their opponents on the rack. Only 2mins later Longton were awarded a third penalty as the visitors were feeling the pressure from a home pack on the rampage. Scott Rawlings kick disected the uprights to bring Longton back to within 4 points of the league leaders.

Longton's domination of possession and territory continued for most of the next quarter of an hour as the Longton pack, with Craig Wilson, Joel Booth and Gareth Rawlings to the fore, applied increasing pressure in the scrums and line out stealing ball on many occasions. In the 21st. minute Scott Rawlings had an opportunity to put Longton to within one point with a 22m. penalty from wide out but his kick drifted wide. However, only 3mins. later Longton scored their first try of the game when the forwards drove the ball over in an excellently controlled maul; Craig Wilson got the touchdown and although Scott Rawlings conversion attempt missed Longton were now leading by 14-13pts.

The final 15mins. was a tense affair and Bromsgrove now began to show some attacking prowess as they sought to get back in front. With only 10 minutes remaining Bromsgrove were awarded a penalty some 27m. out and to the left of the posts. The kick sailed over amidst great jubilation from the visiting spectators as their team was back in the lead at 16-14pts.

With less than 8mins. remaining Longton won a penalty 30m. out to the left of the posts and the home faithful held their breath as Scott Rawlings ran up to kick. Unfortunately, the kick went wide but Bromsgrove were still deep into their own territory as they dropped out from the "22". Longton pressed forward again and Scott Rawlings looked like breaking through but his final pass to the supporting Lee Brogan did not quite go to hand. Then Longton had a scrum some 18m. out and from this they set up a forward drive which went on and on remorselessly towards the try line. Bromsgrove could not halt the drive which ended with Joel Booth crashing over for a superb try. The conversion attempt failed but Longton now led by 19-16pts.

Bromsgrove then launched an attack of their own and spread the ball wide across their backs but unfortunately for them one pass went astray and replacement Ant Edwards pounced on it in a flash and sped off in the clear for the opposing line. His pace took him all the way and he dived over for a well taken try. Scott Rawlings converted to make the final score 26-16pts to Longton, a win which was thoroughly deserved through their domination of the majority of the match.

There were some excellent performances throughout the Longton side, especially in the forwards where the front row destroyed their opponents. It was good to see George Glenn back from his long-term slipped disc injury as he came on at hooker in the second half with Craig Wilson going to tight head prop where he gave a master class of tight low scrummaging, as did Mark Baker at loose head prop who improves match by match. James Daniel did an enormous amount of unseen grafting in the second row with his ever reliable partner, Rich Thompson. In the backs, apart from Scott Rawlings' penetrating runs, Paul Green put in some enormous touch kicks to gain massive territory for his side.

Next week Longton travel down to Hereford where they face the always abrasive local team and they will need to repeat this form if they are to come away with a win.

M Wheat