Longton went down by 44pts. to 17 at home to an impressive Tamworth side despite putting up a brave fight with a much-changed back line. They were without Darryl Banton, Joe Hall and Marl Dougherty and fielded a number of ex-Colts. Pete Wilshaw returned to No.8 after serving his one week ban and provided a re-assuring presence at the base of the scrum.Tamworth began strongly and were soon awarded a penalty from 40m. out but the attempted kick went wide. The visitors were dominating possession and territory and went ahead after 10mins. with a try which was converted for a 7pt. lead. In the 14th. minute they landed a penalty from 40m. out to extend the lead to 10pts to nil. By nowLongton were beginning to work their way into the game and put their first score on the board in the 20th. minute. with a well-struck penalty from Grant Hallam to make it 10-3pts. Just 2mins. later the visitors landed a penalty for a 13-3pts. lead. Only 2mins. later Longton scored their first try by James Sinclair after a mazy run and off-load by Cameron Adderley. Grant Hallam converted with a superb kick from wide outto make it 13-10pts.Five minutes before half-time saw Tamworth strike again with a catch and drive by their forwards from a 5m. lineout. The conversion was good making it 20-10pts. Just 3mins. later the visitors struck again as they advanced upfield with a penalty to 8m. from the Longton line. The lineout ball was whipped quickly out to the backs to score in the corner. The conversion missed making the half-time score 25-10pts.Early in the second half Tamworth scored again with a try just to the left of the posts and the easy conversion made the score 32-10pts. Another try followed from a breakinside their own half and the conversion made it 39-10pts. Longton were battling bravely with the forwards having the upper hand in the scrums and had much of the game over the next period of the game. However, the visitors struck again in the 52nd. minute with their final try to go 44-10pts ahead. Longton’s pressure was rewarded. In the 56th. minute they were rewarded with a try from No.8, Pete Wilshaw,who led a forward drive from short range to crash over for the try. Grant Hallam converted to make it 44-17pts.Longton continued to have the better of the closing minutes and appeared to have scored again with a close quarter drive from their pack but the referee was unsightedand did not award the try. The final 20mins. saw no further addition to the score to leave the result as 44-17pts. to Tamworth.
Mick Wheat.