Camp Hill Home

Longton were comfortable winners at home against Camp Hill by 40pts. to 10, picking up a bonus point with a 5 league points victory. Influential No.8, Gareth Rawlings, was absent with Covid but the pack still looked strong throughout. They welcomed back hooker, George Glenn, and full-back, Grant Hallam, both of whom had fine games.

Longton opened strongly and were soon in front with the first try after just 5mins. The forwards executed a powerful drive allowing prop, Ant Cornwell, to crash over; Grant Hallam converted for a 7-0pts. lead. Camp Hill looked promising with ball in hand but the home defence stood firm. With 15mins. gone Longton scored their second try. The forwards turned the ball over and newcomer, Henry Knox, in his second game, and who had a fine match, cut through the midfield defence to go over for a fine try. Grant Hallam again converted to make it 14-0pts. lead. The next 15mins. was evenly balanced with Camp Hill showing a willingness to throw the ball around. Then, in the 27th. minute Longton took play into the visitors’ “22” before a powerful drive by the forwards resulted in skipper, Pete Wilshaw, going over for his side’s 3rd. try. Grant Hallam converted again to put the home side 21-0pts. in front.

With 5mins. to go before half-time Camp Hill suffered a yellow card but right on half-time their 14 men ran the ball from their own “22”. Helped by two or three poor tackle attempts they scored their first try. The conversion attempt missed and Longton led by 21-5pts. at half-time.

With only 3mins. of second-half gone Longton fastened onto a loose ball on halfway and fly-half, Tom Hughes, skipped his way through the defence to touch down under the posts. Grant Hallam converted to make it 28-5pts. Only 5mins. later Longton scored their 4th., and bonus point try when they turned the ball over and Henry Knox through for a fine try. The difficult conversion into the strong wind fell short but Longton led by 33-5pts.

Shortly after this Longton second row, Rickie Bentley, was shown a yellow card and just 3mins. later Camp Hill scored their 2nd. try. The conversion was missed leaving the score at 33-10pts. to Longton. Just 5mins. later Longton scored their 6th. try when the ball was moved quickly by the backs for James Mountford to go over. The conversion from Grant Hallam was good, giving Longton a lead by 40pts. to 10.

With 8mins. to go Longton suffered two yellow cards in the space of a minute when first Paul Housley and then replacement, Eroni Lequai, were carded. Despite being down to 13 men they held out for the remaining few minutes to ensure an impressive 40-10pts. win.

Next week Longton have a blank weekend and then face Crewe and Nantwich away the following Saturday.

M Wheat.