Colts show great character with a Tid(e)y win at the death over Longlevens

The 1st game of 2022 and it was going to be a good one against Longlevens. No game for a month. Various players absent with Glos county game vs Berks or other commitments. Plenty of playing time for anyone that was able to make it to Fromehall for a game on the greasy surface.

16 made it onto the pitch so Jane put together another new lineup. Longlevens had a bigger squad so the 2nd half could prove to be a real challenge with heavy limbs on a heavy pitch with a Longlevens squad looking for revenge after losing to Stroud back in September.

People had come a long way for the game. The ref from the Midlands was the most committed with a 170 mile roundtrip. That was going to be a big whip round to pay his petrol bill, or give him 10 of Marina’s hotdogs and burgers as she would have plenty spare at the end of the game.

Forwards: Ryan, Freddie, Stoner, Jedd, Darion, Bernie, Freddie, Mr T
Backs: Lewis, Myles, Dougie, Arthur, Jonty, James, Alex
Subs: Rhys

Stroud kicked off and the ball bounced into touch. Longlevens lost their lineout with an excellent steal by Freddie. Mr T with the captains armband led the first attack with a smash-mouth run. Levens rushed up quick to pressure the backs move and Myles adapted brilliantly with a neat kickover the top that Dougie gathered cleanly and ran under the posts for the opening score. Good conversion and Stroud were leading 7-0 and the nerves on and off the pitch were subsiding quickly.

Dougie ran back the subsequent kickoff and Stroud controlled possession well with Freddie and Jonty making good yardage as well to then win a penalty that was kicked into the 22. Freddie #2 with an excellent throw to leaping Freddie #7 and Stroud were in with another scoring chance but a knockon gave Levens a scrum escape. They kicked deep but Alex was well positioned to catch cleanly, run back and then kick into space. Levens covered it but the tackler was held up so Stroud won a scrum from the maul. The chance was wasted though as a knockon in the next attack gave Levens a scrum. Stroud showed great technique to push them off the ball and Mr T went for another punishing run. Levens showed great resolve to deny him a try and then force a turnover and then attack from deep. Stoner put in some big tackles but Levens kept the ball alive well and worked it into the Stroud half. They kicked into the Stroud 22 and then won a penalty. Their lineout from 5 metres out was won and they drove over but Stroud somehow held up the player and denied him the try. The dropout kick was run back quickly until they met a Jonty tackle. Levens controlled the ball well with their big pack but Stroud fronted up well defensively. As players got sucked in Levens showed great awareness to kick diagonally to the corner and their winger picked it up at pace and scored in the right corner. The wide kick was only just missed and Stroud were still leading at 7-5.

Levens were now starting to show their power and good ball control. They ran back the next kickoff and only stout tackles from Bernie, Mr T and Alex stopped them getting another try. Good counter rucking from both Freddies won Stroud the ball and Darion took it into contact and was relishing the physicality of the game. Lewis went digging in the mud and found the ball and set the backs off on another attack. Alex found some space and drew the contact and James took it further up the pitch with some great moves. Levens earnt a penalty for holding on so kicked the ball back into the Stroud 22 and won their lineout. A fast uprushing Freddie only just missed an intercept so Levens had a scrum restart that Stroud again won against the head with a great timed push and hooker Freddie out-performing his opposite number. Myles saw a gap and kicked diagonally to Jonty who caught it at pace and broke into the Levens 22. An excellent pass inside to Dougie and a try looked on but Levens crunched into contact and forced a knock-on.

Levens won their scrum and kicked upto halfway and then won a lineout as Strouds throw wasn’t straight. Levens lineout was working well and they controlled the ball well and broke up the right flank. They kicked over the top but a fast retreating Alex beat the winger to the ball and saved a try. Levens ran back the dropout and Jedd was waiting with a dominant tackle. Levens kicked again to try and repeat their 1st try but Alex was well positioned to field the ball and evade a few tackles before clearing the lines. Levens were not to be denied though as they won their lineout and through a great set of moves with backs and forwards worked their way upto the Stroud try line. Stroud were immense in defense with both Freddies putting personal safety to one side as they held up the big Levens forwards. Bernie stepped into the fray and kept out the red army. Ryan and Darion also pushing back the runners when a try looked inevitable. A tap penalty later Levens had scored under the posts with a well deserved try for their 10 minutes of total control. A good kick and Levens were leading 12-7. Hooker Freddie’s body was in pieces so sub Rhys came on to give Delia time to work her medical miracles.

Dougie was on kickoff tackle duties with another strong tackle in the Levens 22. Levens kicked the ball away as far as Arthur who controlled it well and the backs attacked again through Dougie and James. Darion went Rhino and won another penalty. This time Stroud took the scrum option and Mr T picked at #8 but got isolated and Levens turned over the ball and kicked deep which just gave Alex another run back opportunity. Arthur took the ball further up the pitch but the red wall was holding firm. Time for forward power ! Ryan smashed up the pitch. Mr T kept the ball alive. Then Ryan saw a gap and swerved his way through various tacklers and players hanging on and made 30 metres into the Levens 22. With 14 players still hanging off Ryan Myles went for the kick option and the only red shirt left got their 1st to save the try! Stroud couldn’t buy a try!

Levens took the dropout that Dougie fielded well and ran back at pace with James taking the ball deeper into the Levens half until he was tackled into touch. The last 5 minutes of the half was played deep in the Levens half with good tackling by Lewis, Stoner, Jedd, Freddie and Jonty. Levens were kicking often to relieve the pressure but the ball would come back quickly with good runs from Alex, Dougie, Darion, Jedd. If the ball slowed down it gave Darion, Stoner and Ryan chance to show Rhino power and pull in the Levens tacklers. As a Stroud try looked certain they infringed and Levens breathed a sigh of relief and kicked the ball dead as the ref blew for half time.

Half Time: Stroud Colts 7 – 12 Longlevens Colts

Stroud had no subs to use as Rhys was already on the pitch. Longlevens had a bigger squad available to freshen up the tiring players. Jane was going to have to work miracles with her half time speech.

Levens kicked off and Jonty had an excellent kick return. Myles kicked the ball long and the teams settled down to trade attacking moves and defensive stands. Stalemate ensued as both squads tried new ways of making space but disciplined defense from both teams limited the attacking opportunities. Stroud were edging ahead though in the territory battle with excellent kicking from Myles and good rucking from the Stroud forwards giving space for the backs to attack into. Mr T carried strongly upto the Levens try line and win another penalty. This time Strouds lineout misfired and Levens stole the throw and kicked deep and Alex knocked the greasy ball on. Levens lost their scrum again though with another great Stroud push. Mr T made 20 metres and won another penalty. A quick tap and Levens infringed again to save a try but lose a player to a yellow card.

Stroud wasted the attacking opportunity though with a knockon from the scrum restart and Levens won their own scrum while still getting pushed back, but the next runner was just held up with excellent maul technique to win another Stroud scrum. Stoner was hooking well and Stroud won another dominant scrum. Arthur made good yardage but Levens somehow stole the ball and kicked deep to a retreating Alex who controlled it well under pressure and kicked it into the Levens half as he got drilled in the tackle. This time Levens misfired their lineout throw and Mr T had a good catch and run into the 22. Jedd had a powerful run followed by Rhys. Stroud were camped in the Levens 22 and had good runs from Alex, Darion, Mr T and Bernie. Ryan nearly scored. Darion was close but Levens gave away another penalty. A quick tap from Captain Mr T and he managed to squeeze over the line as he was swamped by Levens tacklers. Try awarded and it was 12-12. Myles conversion started to go wide left but good reading of the weather conditions pushed the ball back into the middle of the posts and Stroud were now leading 14-12.

Stroud relaxed too early and knocked on the kickoff. Levens were now having to go uncontested scrums which removed one of Strouds big weapons. Levens quickly moved the ball right with expert handling and worked an overlap that was going to win a try but Alex somehow stopped the move with another stout tackle. Levens kept it tight but Bernie and Rhys kept the Levens forwards out. Eventually pressure told and Levens found a gap and scored a try on the right. Another tough conversion was aced by Levens as their kicker fell over but somehow still whacked it hard enough to earn 2 more points. Longlevens now up by 5 at 19-14.

There was only a few minutes left and victory had swung to defeat in a flash. Stroud kicked short but knocked on so another minute was lost. Scrums were back to contested as Levens prop was back on from his injury rest. Stroud still had a chance…..and they took it with another win against the head with Stoner acing the hook as he was shoved forward at 20mph! Myles had a good run. Rhys and Bernie won the ruck battle. Jedd had a powerful run into the 22. Ryan then showed some magic to get close to the line but Levens were hanging on for dear life. Stroud attacked right through the backs but a poor pass gave Levens the ball but they couldn’t escape the dead ball area and gave up a scrum 5. Stroud duly won the push and Mr T at #8 powered over. Great awareness made him go left and get closer to the posts and give Myles a better chance of converting. Mr Reliable aced his 3rd conversion and Stroud had squeezed back into the lead at 21-19.

Stroud took the kickoff and kicked it back deep to remove the risk of giving up a penalty deep in their half. Levens earnt a penalty and kicked deep but missed touch and Alex kept it alive with Myles then kicking it deep again. Levens were in all out attack mode and got back into the Stroud half but Strouds defensive discipline was very impressive and they stayed onside, on their feet and never encroaching from the side to never give Levens a sniff of a penalty kick to win. Levens were getting forced backwards and lost the ball that Jedd bravely dived on knowing any injury incurred would be patched up by Mum over the following week. Mr T then found some more energy and ran up the line. Showing a new facet to his game he then gruber kicked to avoid the force out into touch. Levens held on and Stroud won a penalty but missed touch as they eyed the 4th try and a bonus point and a cushion. Bernie was their 1st with a big tackle. Rhys and Freddie tackled well to slow down the red machine. Levens won a penalty though and kicked into the Stroud half and we held our breath. This time the throw wasn’t straight and we took a scrum restart as the safest option. Myles kicked deep again and this time it was Stoner in with the 1st tackle and then won a penalty. A kick to touch and the full time whistle went and Stroud celebrated madly.

Full Time: Stroud Colts 21 – 19 Longlevens Colts

Tunnels and debriefs. Good camaraderie between the teams as always. The players and parents were celebrating the come from behind victory against the odds. It was a league game so this mattered. Then Jane brought us down to earth with a bump and said it was another friendly and the league games start end of Jan. It didn’t matter though Stroud had showed great character to dig out victory against a powerful Longlevens squad.

Mr T went home to celebrate his 2 tries. He was quickly brought down to Earth for a 2nd time as his younger brother declared he had scored 6 tries against Minch so he was the better player. Young kids always have an answer for everything.....

The match reporter then declared that we could have a mini-league just with Levens and we were top with a 2 victories and no defeats. Therefore we were the champions of Gloucestershire. The ref disagreed – but he was from North Midlands so didn’t know the local rules – so his opinion was put to 1 side and Stroud still declared themselves County champions. Speaking of which the Stroud boys that represented Gloucestershire U18’s today played great and ran out easy winners 40-10.

Special thanks to Marina for the catering and the extra challenge of outside serving with the Covid rules. The ref took his 10 portions of food and hit the M5. Many thanks for travelling such long distance. We assume it was a planned GRFU ref swap and I hope you enjoyed the thrilling game of rugby that the players and parents thoroughly enjoyed – once we knew it was safe in the last 5 seconds of the game!

Next week its Cinderford at home and another big game. Bound to be another nail biter.