Match Report - Clifton v Longlevens (11th November)

Clifton RFC 27 - Longlevens RFC 17

Nice morning for rugby down in Bristol, once the rain had blown through, and having slalomed through the Cribbs Causeway traffic and parked next door in the wrong rugby club, me and Matt clambered over the ditch, ready to watch another game for our U16s....




'Levens started well, playing some good rugby in the backs, stretching the Clifton defence and 5 minutes in we got on the scorecard with a move on the right wing being finished off by Fergus Walsh.


Clifton came back strongly, with some good play down their left wing, but Longlevens managed to keep them out with Jamie Best playing well again at fullback, and then moved back up the pitch, with strong play from Chris Powick and Sam Rees.




As you can see, the crowd were fully engrossed in the game, and we were continuing to play strongly and 20 minutes in we went further ahead with Lewis Powell driving over in the right corner....


Rory Woodward was very close with the conversion from wide out, but the score stayed at 0-10.


From the re-start Joe Salkeld collected the ball and took it up the field, but collected an injury, and so was replaced by Joe Gamston (keeps things simple in the front row) and Bestie had to go off with a shoulder injury, allowing Mikey Yorke to make a welcome return.

There was sustained pressure from Clifton for the remainder of the first half, but strong 'Levens defence stopped any score before half time.

After the obligatory oranges from Steve Parker at half time, with Longlevens playing down-wind we were looking forward to more points - and we started well, with strong play on the left, and a good break by Matt Hayward on the wing just failing to get in.

We payed for not converting possession 10 minutes in when Clifton scored on the left through their forwards for 5-10. The game remained close, with Chris Powick stealing a Clifton lineout and going on a bullocking run, but Clifton again scored on the left to level the scores at 10-10.

The home team went ahead after 20 minutes of the second half with a good right-to-left move in the backs creating a clear overlap for 15-10. 'Levens roused themselves to greater effort and put some serious pressure on Clifton, but the home team defended well, and worked an opening on the left wing to take the score to 20-10, which was extended further to 27-10 after 35 minutes of the half when they chased through a kick on the left and converted the resulting try.



In the last couple of minutes of the game 'Levens again came back, working hard on the left, with a lot of good work from Ollie Deacon and Ben Gabb driving Clifton back. Rich Parker attempted a tap and go from a Clifton penalty, which we should draw a veil over, but then redeemed himself picking up from a ruck and powering over from inside 5 yards. Rory Woodward converted for 27-17 with the last kick of the match.



Might have to start a new competition for upcoming games - what do you think - Identify The Spectator - answers in the comments, please.... (Hint: Ah-har, me hearties)