By Jamil Salih
UNIVERSITY of South Wales fell to a defeat in a valiant display against Hartpury University in their final league fixture of the BUCS South A campaign.
The Sardis Road crowd were treated to an all-action encounter from the off, with both sides touching down early on. The home side scored the first try of the afternoon, courtesy of Will Haly. Cavan Slade converted to give USW a 7-3 lead following an early Hartpury penalty.
League leaders Hartpury showed why their goal difference stood at 234 going into the clash as they raced into a 17-7 lead in the 17th minute thanks to tries from Openshaw and Stubbs with Cole successfully converting both.
However, three minutes later USW’s Will Haly went over to score his second try of the game as Slade kicked over.
Hartpury responded with a try of their own, Bertie with the touchdown and Cole with the conversion.
Both sides scored two tries respectively in the latter stages of the first half. Liam Greening grabbing both for the Welsh university whilst McNabb and Hopwood went over for the visitors as both kickers successfully converted the tries.
A frantic first-half saw Ben Daniels’ men trail at the break 28-34 in an evenly matched clash between 1st and 2nd place.
The home team came out firing and it took them nine minutes to regain the lead. Marcus Jones with some dazzling footwork following a good take and offload from Bryn Goodall. Slade converted to give USW a 35-34 advantage.
Hartpury, yet again, responded with a try of their own as Openshaw went over for the table-toppers. Cole successfully converted. Cole also stretched Hartpury’s lead five minutes later, as the fly-half kicked a long distance penalty between the posts.
The visitors came on strong as the game wore on. Sankoh touched down in the 63rd minute to make it 35-49 to Hartpury. Cole was unable to convert on this occasion.
The hosts, however, did not let their heads drop at any point in the clash and put the pressure on the league leaders late on. Slade converted a penalty in the 67th minute.
Four minutes later, Corey Sheppard scored a try following a weaving solo run with Slade converting to leave USW with a chance to overturn the deficit in the dying embers but the away side stood firm and held out to inflict defeat on a valiant USW side.
USW will now watch for the result of Hartpury’s trip to Swansea University on Sunday, as the two sides play out their final fixture of the season at Sketty Lane.
The game could have a big impact on USW’s push for the playoffs. USW will be looking for a Hartpury win to ensure they get there. Swansea will need to beat the league leaders and score four tries and secure a five point win in order to put USW out of contention.
Star player: Will Haly
USW: 15 Liam Greening 14 Cobi Flowers 13 Joe Vickers 12 Corey Sheppard 11 Marcus Jones 10 Cavan Slade 9 Harry Rumens 8 Gareth Jones (C) 7 Thomas Jevons 6 Ioan Davies 5 Ross Barnes 4 Lloyd Evans 3 Joe Popple 2 Will Haly 1 Connor Lewis 16 T Stacey 17 C Barry 18 C Taylor 19 S Tiley 20 K Evans 21 G Workman 22 B Goodall 23 J Shaddick
Hartpury: 15 Swannick 14 Aquile Smith 13 Sankoh 12 Stubbs 11 McNabb 10 Cole 9 Openshaw 8 Denton 7 Hopwood 6 McArtney 5 Z Ward 4 J Ward 3 Pelser 2 Bertie 1 Peverelle 16 Tillery 17 C Harrison 18 C Williams 19 C Thompson 20 Clancy 21 Toby Eaton 22 Ezra Caven
