Hucclecote 0 - 12 Longlevens
As you can see, the underfoot conditions left something to be desired, but it's to the credit of both sides that a decent game of rugby took place, though the washing machines of Gloucestershire will be feeling some pain this afternoon, I have to say - just look at the picture below - and that was before we even started - it's worse than that later, Jim....
The blog today may be a little shorter than usual - mostly because I was too busy huddling (sorry Mike!!) to make notes, and when I did, the ink ran on the pages...
Longlevens started well, playing into the teeth of what oil rig workers would have called a gentle breeze - we had most of the early play, including some nice interplay in the backs from Nathan Hazard and Matt Hayward in a move from right to left across the pitch, which was stopped about 10 metres out, but 'Levens recycled the ball well, and Paul Watson smashed over for the opening score....
Rory Woodward (aided and abetted by Joe Gamston) missed the conversion to the left, but in the conditions that wasn't too much of a surprise, so the score remained 0-5.
Hucclecote started to come back into the game, and 'Levens rolled up their sleeves in defence, scrummaging and tacking with ferocity - we even had good defence lineout work and clearance from Joe Salkeld - Lewis Powell - Christian Hartey - Rory Woodward.... It was almost like watching rugby, I tell you!!
Taff Ford produced some imaginative play on the left wing, nearly breaking through, but 'Cote managed to shepherd the ball into touch. Play moved to the right side, with some strong running from Heyward following an intelligent kick from Hartery, with Shan O'Brian powering on before being brought down with a high tackle...
The half ended with more 'Levens pressure in the left corner, but it nothing came of it, so the score remained 0 - 5 at the change round.
'Levens had the wind at their backs in the second half, and used it intelligently in early kicking exchanges, surviving renewed 'Cote pressure which was relieved by an intelligent box kick and chase from Hartery.
A great deal of the second half was a strong forward competition - as you can see, everything was put in to defend the lead.
10 minutes from time Hayward put in another very strong run on the left, breaking tackles repeatedly and crashing over just to the left of the posts. Rory converted that score, for a 0 - 12 lead which was held to the end, with dogged defence from CJ Johnson (on as a sub), Paul Watson, Sam Rees, Ollie Deacon, and just about everyone else in red, er brown...
Quote of the week from a wind-swept and interesting Coach Deacon - 'improved performance' - the strong (almost) silent type - let's not recount the state he allegedly got home in on Saturday night.... we don't want to tarnish the image!!
Following another storming performance, Sam Rees was named m-o-t-m, and certainly showed as much skill and pace in the clubhouse as on the pitch....
Last word - let's just say that Lounge Lizard Parker looked a great deal more sartorially elegant in the clubhouse than he had earlier - form a queue, ladies....
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