A Landmark Day For Hartpury Rugby
Hartpury College proved their rugby supremacy last week, successfully defending their British University Sports Association Championship...
...title at Twickenham Stadium in a 23-15 final victory over Loughborough University and the honours didn’t stop there.
Hartpury Rugby Academy Director and 1st XV Coach reports on what was an incredible day for Hartpury College:
"St Georges Day on 23rd April 2008 will always be remembered as a rugby landmark for Hartpury College where history was made. The College was crowned BUSA Champions at 1st, 2nd and 3rd team levels; a truly remarkable achievement and one I am very proud of.
"The Hartpury 2nds defeated Loughborough University 2nds at Richmond in the BUSA Shield competition (21-19) as the 3rd Team travelled to Durham University to bring back the BUSA Plate (15-13).
"St George may have been credited with slaying the dragon on this day, but it must have been an easier task than that which the Hartpury 1st Team encountered at Twickenham; Loughborough University were formidable adversaries.
"The early exchanges saw Hartpury attempt to use their three quarters to breach the Loughborough defence, whilst their opponents used the more direct route of employing their powerful pack to pound their way to break down Hartpury’s defence.
"In the early stages honours were even. Though, after Hartpury fly half Tim Stevenson (capt) scored a penalty, Loughborough struck back to score from a driving lineout. This lead was short lived; within five minutes, after some scintillating rugby, wing Henry Trinder scored to put the College in front. However, Loughborough University laid siege Hartpury’s try line in the later stages of the first half and were rewarded with a try which meant they ended the half with a 12-11 lead.
"The start of the second half saw Loughborough increase their lead with a penalty, but that was their last score of the game. Hartpury players grew in stature and defended remorselessly. With greater belief and confidence, the Gloucestershire side attacked and breached the Loughborough defence on several occasions, resulting in tries from flankers Andrew Rose and Matt Gilbert.
The character, resilience and determination of the Hartpury team was exemplary. Indeed the new guard on this occasion triumphed over the aristocrats, old scores were settled and history was made."
- UWE Hartpury: T Jarvis; H Trinder, D Hondo, H Botha, D Norton; T Stevenson (capt), D Lewis; R Whitehall, H Collins, C Turner, A Pretorius, L Griffiths, P Havea, A Rose, D Williams.
- Replacements: M Gilbert for Havea, 66; A Keylock for Collins, 68; M George for Turner, 53; T Roberts for Botha, 50; K Palm for Roberts, 56; R Kenwright for Whitehall, 39; D Walsh for Lewis, 75.
- Scorers: tries: Trinder, Rose, Gilbert; con: Stevenson; pens: Stevenson 2.
- Loughborough University: G Pointer; A Wright, G Pryor, M Wright, M Coady; S Collins, L Barker; A Daniel, J Phipps, T Urpens, J Aston, I Kench, A Parr, J Thompson, D Falvey (capt).
- Replacements: S Beckett, M Cross, S Pitfield, M McFarlane, J Hood, T Rogers, P Dias.
- Scorers: tries: Thompson, Kench; con: Pointer; pen: Pointer.
- Referee: N Williams (RFU)
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