LONGTON CHALK UP FIRST AWAY WIN TO MOVE OFF THE BOTTOM
COMEBACK kings LONGTON are off the bottom of the table for the first time all season after claiming a third win in four following an 11-0 win at Stourbridge Lions.
Seemingly doomed to relegation from Midlands One West just a few weeks ago, they are now third bottom after leapfrogging both Malvern and Moseley Oak.
Their first away win of the season was the product of forward dominance which left them controlling the game and winning numerous penalties off their frustrated hosts.
Longton also worked the referee well in deteriorating conditions during a game which saw all the points coming in the first half.
Buoyed before a ball was kicked by the return of Martin Ellis and George Glenn’s shift to his normal position at hooker, Longton scored the day’s only try early in the piece after Pete Wilshaw picked up at the base of a scrum.
He made good ground before releasing Charlie Rushton for the run to the line and an unconverted try.
It was evidently destined to be a low-scoring game in the wintry conditions and so the boot of Scott Rawlings was vital as he deposited a penalty and a drop goal before the break.
Longton then kept the game tight for long periods in the second half to eventually run out comfortable winners heading into what will now feel like a well-deserved Christmas break following their earlier trials and tribulations. ■ STOKE did themselves and Longton a favour by seeing off Malvern 22-12 to end the year nicely positioned just below halfway in Midlands One West.
The foundation of Stoke’s victory was three tries in the second quarter, including an 80-metre dash for the line, to leave Malvern too much to do in the second period.
Jack Conlon scored Stoke’s first try after several phases of play in the early stages, but Derby hit back to lead 7-5 thanks to a converted score.
Despite playing into the wind, Stoke dominated the second quarter and their deluge of tries began with Carl Williams going over following fine retention by his fellow forwards.
Strong carries by Williams and Callum Robb then sucked in Malvern’s defence to leave Steve Talbot beating two defenders en route to the try line.
And it was 22-7 by the break after Stoke created a turnover deep in their own 22 before switching the ball to their right for Dylan Brownson to fend off his opposite number and storm upfield for the try.
Stoke used the wind to pin Malvern back in their own half after the break and only once did their visitors score after an interception on halfway. ■ SANDBACH were grateful for a late try from skipper Dan Stubbs in their 20-8 home win over Derby in the Midlands Premier. The game could conceivably have gone either way at 13-8 with five minutes remaining, but Sandbach charged down a clearing kick to leave Stubbs scoring and Benny Elliot, pictured, suitably tanned after enjoying the Barbados 7s, landing the conversion. Sandbach had feared their narrow 13-5 half-time advantage wouldn’t be enough after enjoying the elements in the first 40. Having conceded the game’s first try, Sandbach levelled the contest after a well-judged cross kick left winger Jack Leech winning the race for the loose ball. Their scrum dominance then won a penalty deposited by Mark Bird before prop Gareth Caen drove over for a try from a lineout just before half-time.
A Derby penalty chipped at that Sandbach lead in the second half before their captain’s late intervention eased their nerves late in the day. ■ LEEK and Telford had to endure some testing winter conditions in the Moorlands, but credit to both teams for seeing out the 80 minutes and credit to Leek for scoring six tries in a 38-5 win which keeps them in fifth place in Midlands West Two (North) as the club goes into a break for the festive period.
Kini Buli scored the first try, taking advantage of a quick break by Sam Hunt who put over the conversion for a 7-0 lead. Billy Kidd scored the second try, picking up a pass from Dan Needham before sprinting for the line. Again Hunt’s conversion attempt was successful as Leek went into the break 14-0 up.
A third try for Leek arrived three minutes into the second half, Lewis Dunleavy picking up a Needham pass, with Hunt adding the extra points with the conversion.
Good handling led to Tom Scragg scoring the fourth try, Hunt on target with his kick. Scragg went over for a fifth try, Hunt missing this time, and just before the hour mark, Needham went over for Leek’s sixth try after James Thomson went on a charging run. Again Hunt missed the conversion, but Leek had a 38-0 lead.
Telford did score a consolation try in the final quarter. ■ LINLEY & KIDSGROVE have slipped to fourth in Midlands Four West (North) after making heavy weather of poor conditions during their 7-0 defeat at Clee Hill.
Those same conditions accounted for the derby between NEWCASTLE and STAFFORD in Midlands Two West (North).