Vital victory Longlevens recover from 10-0 down to see off United
LONGLEVENS hit back from 10-0 down to beat Cinderford United 26-10 in their top-of-the-table Counties 1 Western North clash.
Third-placed Cinderford were quick out of the blocks and put second-placed Longlevens under serious pressure.
Their first try came from an attempted clearance kick that Cinderford managed to charge down and re-gather to go over, Will Anderson touching down and Harry Johnson converting.
This was followed with a Sam Alford penalty to take the score to 10-0.
Longlevens got themselves on the score sheet after 25 minutes following a kick to the corner from Brad Wilkins.
A drive was set from the lineout and strong carries took them to within five metres.
Tom Griffiths had the first attempt but was stopped short and Steve Phillips was on hand to crash over from the next ruck.
Longlevens then had a 10-minute period of dominance, stringing multiple phases together and drawing penalties.
One was kicked to the corner and from the resulting lineout drive, debutant Ethan Hunt steered the pack over to score, converted by Wilkins for a 12-10 lead.
In the second half, it took 20 minutes for the Griffins to get the third score and grind down the stubborn Cinderford defence, but eventually they cracked following a series of penalties and scrums.
The forwards took a series of short phases to narrow the opposition before the ball was spun left to Griffiths to crash through three defenders to go in by the posts, Wilkins’ conversion making it 19-10.
The all-important bonus point try came soon after. From a ruck on the left a wrap around pass was executed and Kory Holman-jones crashed over, Wilkins adding the conversion.
This win puts some daylight between the top two, and the rest of the league, with leaders Nailsea and Backwell going to face Cinderford this weekend with a five-point lead at the top.
Despite tries from Zeb Waite and Jamie Gibbs, Stow-on-thewold went down to a 17-10 Regional 2 Midlands West defeat to Silhillians.
Stow stay third in table with Silhillians second behind leaders Newent, whose game with Cheltenham was frozen off.
Old Centralians had to dig deep to win 32-15 against a well organised and determined Gordano side.
Gordano were well in the match until late in the game when Cents scored two tries.
They led 20-15 going into the final stages and Gordano were been encamped on the Cents line for a good 10 minutes without scoring.
The visitors spurned a fair number of penalties in favour of scrums, thinking they could overcome a seven-man scrum, but Cents’ defence for that period of time was outstanding.
Gordano led 12-10 at half-time, but Cents scored five tries to record a bonus-point win which moves them up to third place in the Regional 2 Severn table.
Their try scorers were Mike Mathers (two), Jake Kellaway, Wayne Mulhern and Jordan Smith with Harry Preece converting twice and adding a penalty.
Drybrook now sit in fourth place after they were beaten 55-10 at leaders Royal Wootton Bassett.
Chosen Hill FP lost 28-13 at Trowbridge with tries for Mike Darby and Joe Short, plus a Jake Townsend penalty.
Counties 2 Gloucestershire North leaders Gordon League ran in 11 tries to win 65-3 at Old Cryptians.
Ben Gamston and Joe Sysum got the first two before doubles for Rob Jones and Matthew Cuthbertson made it 36-0 at half-time, Ciarnan Sysum with three conversions.
Gamston added three more tries in the second half while Jones completed his hat-trick and Joe Sysum added his second, Ciarnan Sysum with two more conversions. Ryan Preedy kicked a penalty for Crypts.
Smiths Rugby are second after their 24-19 derby win over Cheltenham North.
Tries from Duncan Spurrier and Tom Gordon, both converted by Oli Aherne, got Smiths off to a strong start but North pegged them back with a try of their own as Smiths ended the first half 14-7 ahead.
A smart kick from Aherne into the 22 saw quick-thinking man of the match Matt Dean take a quick throw to Spurrier who made yards towards the try line.
Adam Ginns carried and drew a defender to release Ben Hawker to score Smiths’ third try.
Smiths bagged a bonus point with solid scrum ball giving Gordon the chance to sneak through the defence for his second try and a 24-7 lead for Smiths.
North threw caution to the wind and did that to great effect scoring two tries as Smiths lost two men to the sinbin in the process.
It took a huge effort to keep the North out with brave defensive sets as Smiths had 14 on the pitch and were carrying some injuries into the final five minutes of the contest.
More ill-discipline let North advance into the 22 and they chose to pick and go, attempting to find a winning score.
As the ball went a bit wider, Aherne ripped the ball from a North attacker and Smiths had a scrum with seconds left.
Another solid scrum set Hawker charging into midfield and then next breakdown saw the referee finally blew the final whistle with a relieved Smiths securing five points.
Old Patesians are third in the table with a game in hand after their 52-10 win over Coney Hill, Johnny Dawes and Jack Hamilton with two tries apiece, and one each for Ollie Stephens, Will Sanderson, Joe Mcdean and Jamie Thorley, Sam Rhymes kicking six conversions.
Ryan Stephens scored a try for Hill, Carl Fritchley kicking a penalty and a conversion.
Jon Hogg’s hat-trick lifted Hucclecote into fourth as they beat Stroud 36-22.
Brad Harris crossed twice and kickied three conversions, Cliff Zeal with Cote’s other try.
Stroud took a try bonus point thanks to scores from Sam Hester, Zinzan Cremins, Harry Lightfoot, and Jacob Clutterbuck, Joe Ashenford with a conversion.
Old Richians were 19-0 winners over Cirencester with tries for Darren Nollath, Tyler Malcolm and Archie Cooper, Jamie Mayall kicking two conversions.
Owain Thomas scored two tries and converted three times as Brockworth were 31-7 winners at Spartans.
Scott Thomas, Andy Mitchell and Tom Warner scored their other tries, with an Ethan Badham try and Ashley Lewis conversion replying for the Red Ants.
Dursley were beaten 24-5 by Frampton Cotterell in Counties 2 Gloucestershire South.
Leaders Gloucester Old Boys were handed a Counties 3 Gloucestershire North walkover by Ross-on-wye.
Tewkesbury take over second place after their 59-3 win over Longlevens II.
Joe Goodridge and Brendan Llewellyn both crossed twice, with one apiece for Brad Hunt, Alex Antonelli, Macaulay Jones, Dan Morrish and Nathan Barry, while James Watkins booted seven conversions.
Chosen Hill FP II edged to a 24-15 win over Cheltenham Saracens thanks to tries for Dan Yeates, Billy Vaughan, Lewis Butler and Sean Kavanagh, Yeates and Matt Elston adding conversions.
Sarries’ try scorers were Ed Hampshire and Chris Davies, with a conversion and a penalty from by Joel Birchmore.
Fairford got a walkover in Counties 3 Tribute Dorset & Wilts North: from Royal Wootton Bassett IV, but the sides played a friendly which Fairford won 45-3.