NEWS EXTRA
NEWLY-PROMOTED Nottingham went top at the end of round one of BUCS Super Rugby, beating Leeds Beckett 31-15 from 10-0 down to make a dream debut and extend their winning run from last season to 18 games.
Max Brown, who dummied through to score his team's first-ever try in the competition, provided a perfectly weighted kick to set up Connor Moyse for the final score, and picked up the man-of-the-match award, was satisfied with the way his side had turned it around through their kicking game.
“It was unreal. Class to be back with the boys. We were a bit short in the first 30 but came through a tough time and got our shapes flowing,” he said. “We played the areas better, our kicking game was better, we found our rhythm and got firing.”
Later on, Durham made a solid start to their league title defence as they beat Loughborough 25-17 at Hollow Drift. Durham raced into a 15-0 lead in as many minutes, but Loughborough hit back to cut the gap to one heading into the last quarter.
The team from the North East took it though, as a delicious chip, chase and offload from Mikey Ford fed Rory Stewart-Cox for the try that sealed it.
For Exeter, Durham's conquerers in last year's cup final, it was nightmare start as they were stunned by Hartpury after surrending an 18-point lead.
Trailing 30-12 with 25 minutes to go, Hartpury scored two tries in five minutes to burst straight back into the contest, before Will Goffey's 76th minute winner from the back of their maul gave them a 31-30 victory.
Conversely, Bath had a miserable end to last season, losing their final six games. That run was extended to seven as Cardiff Uni scored late to snatch it 22-21, after Bath had battled their way back from 17-7 down.
Cardiff Met earned revenge for Swansea's away win on their turf last season, as the Archers won 42-30 on Swans territory in an entertaining display of attacking rugby.
