Longton travelled to Uttoxeter still missing several key players. Skipper, Pete Wilshaw, Paul Housley, Tim Wareham, Adam Ridge and Martin Ellis were all absent from the pack and Darryl Banton, Ben Turner and Sam Durmigan were missing from the backs, but the depleted side were still able to grab a late try to win by 31pts. to 29, thus taking a 5-point haul.
Uttoxeter began at a fast pace and soon had Longton on the back foot; a simple penalty from 20m. gave the hosts a 3point lead. Longton gradually worked their way back into the match and scored a fine try after moving the ball at pace. Grant Hallam converted to put Longton ahead by 7-3pts. With 16mins. gone Uttoxeter scored their second penalty to narrow the gap to 7-6pts. Longton were then awarded a penalty 50m. out but Grant Hallam’s well-struck kick fell just short.Then Uttoxeter were awarded a penalty 40m. out but the goal attempt went wide. With 5mins. to go before half-time Longton then scored their second try when a driving maul by the forwards resulted in prop, Ant Cornwell, diving over. Grant Hallam’s conversion was good giving Longton a 14-6pts. lead. As the clock went into 40mins. Longton scored their third try in the right-hand corner. The difficult conversion just missed but Longton now led by 19-6pts. at the break.
With only 7mins. of the 2nd. half gone Uttoxeter scored their first try. The conversion missed making the score 19-11pts. Shortly after Uttoxeter scored again from deep but the conversion missed taking the score to 19-16pts. Ten minutes into the half Longton’s Ricky Bentley had to leave the field with a leg injury. Then, a Longton scrum in the home “22” just 5m. from the try line saw scrumhalf, Jordan Hough, scoot round the blindside to scamper in the corner for a fine try. The difficult conversion missed but Longton now led by24-16pts. This jolted Uttoxeter into life and they suddenly started to win the majority of possession and with it, territory. Another try resulted for the home team to narrow the gap to 24-23pts. to Longton.
With 10mins. to go and Uttoxeter now well on top they scored a penalty to go in front by 26-24pts.Then with only 6mins. left the hosts scored a penalty to lead by 29pts. to 24. As the game entered the last few minutes Longton launched a final attack and from 8m. out score. They moved the ball quickly right to go over in the corner for the final try of the match to level the scores at 29pts. all. Grant Hallam then struck a superb conversion from the right touchline to put Longton in front by 31-29pts.
From the kick-off Longton retained possession from 3 rucks before Grant Hallam kicked the ball into touch to end a pulsating game and leaving Longton jubilant at picking up 5pts.
Next week Longton travel to neighbours, Newcastle, for a Staffordshire Cup game.
M. Wheat.