Burton in control as Hartpury fight back

By JOHN BARNES

Hartpury …………39pts

Tries: Eadie 25, 53, Shipp 39, 61; Jones 47, Barton 73

Conversions: Barton 26, Williams 59, 74

Penalties: Barton 70

Nottingham ……31pts

Tries: Graham 2, Penalty 6, Dickinson 16, Slatem 22, Williams 33

Conversions: Hollingsworth 20, 34

Hartpury produced one of the biggest comebacks in recent memory after conceding four tries in the opening 25 minutes.

Nottingham fired out the blocks, scoring after just two minutes. A fast paced kick return eventually led to Harry Graham scooting in the corner for the opening score. Hollingsworth missed the conversion but soon had Nottingham back on the Hartpury line after a series of penalties led to a lineout drive in the corner. The referee deemed an illegal sack by Sam Lewis and awarded a penalty try and a subsequent yellow card for Lewis.

It wasn’t long before Nottingham were again on the offensive. Another penalty against the home side led to Cheesum taking the lineout well and the pack rumbled over for a Dickinson try. The conversion was missed but the visitors had a 17-0 lead.

The pattern continued and after multiple phases and some slick handling, scrum half Slatem was on hand to canter under the sticks for a converted try.

Hartpury finally got some possession and worked their way towards the Nottingham line. With McNab breaking through and being held up just short a series of drives led to a penalty under the sticks which Mitch Eadie quick tapped and darted over.

There were two further tries as the half came to an end, with Williams going over for Nottingham and then Shipp gave Hartpury something to smile about.

After the break. Hartpury looked sharper, keener and more efficient, with George Barton at 10 getting control of the game.

Hartpury’s first comeback score came from replacement No.9 Matty Jones, supporting a Eadie break and chasing his delicate grubber. Eadie was next to score with his second of the game and the score was now 22-31.

Hartpury’s set piece dominance then led to another attacking lineout which Shipp was on the back of to get his second of the game. From another dominant scrum Hartpury gained a penalty which Williams knocked over to give the home side the lead for the first time.

Hartpury weren’t done and an excellent backs move led to McNab breaking down the touchline to feed inside to the supporting Barton to dive into the corner. .

Hartpury DoR John Barnes said: “Thrilled with the win and attitude shown in the second half to come from 24 points down. We never got going early on and Nottingham, to be fair, blew us away with their pace and accuracy.”