Longlevens 13 Bristol Barbarians 6
DEFENDING Junior Vase champions Longlevens took a step closer to another trip to Twickenham but were pushed close by Somerset Cup winners Bristol Barbarians at Longford Lane.
As with most Bristol teams, Barbarians brought a huge pack that were up for a dog fight and they didn't let the travelling supporters down with a robust performance.
The away side started the contest the better with their forwards making several line breaks and frustrated Longlevens at the break down.
Whilst Longlevens defended well with big hits from Jake Kitson and Jed Jones, ill-discipline cost the home side with the Baa-Baas kicking an early penalty.
The home side enjoyed good possession and were unlucky not to score on several occasions with Mike Yorke and Jones both going close but the cover defence from the visitors was excellent.
Longlevens were rewarded for their efforts when Mike Hagan slotted a penalty kick to even the scores.
Persistence paid off when Yorkie, finished off a flowing backs move to finish in the corner. Hagan missed the extras, but Longlevens led 8-3.
Both sides battled hard, but it was Longlevens again who had the upper hand.
Man of the match Danny Davis was a constant threat at fullback and was held up before half time.
The second half was much the same. The Baa-Baas forwards worked tirelessly but a rugged Longlevens defence held firm.
The away side again took the advance of an early penalty kick to close the score to 10-6.
As the game drew to a close, Longlevens battered their way into their opposition's half, with Kitson, Danny Davis and Jack Beck all making hard yards.
Hagan settled the nerves with another penalty to take the score to 13-6 with only minutes left on the clock. However hard the Somerset champions tried they were unable to break the dominant Longlevens defence with Dave Edwards and Steve Phillips bothputting in big hits.
Longlevens now go through to the South West Counties final, travelling to Devon to face Wessex on Valentine's Day.
