HARTPURY COLLEGE RFC 34 v DMPRFC 19

However, they can count themselves unlucky not to have added at least a point to their league total.

Maybe not enough to win the game after such a disastrous start in the first half, but given a fair 'rub of the green', things could have been very different.

All comments made in defeat are usually seen as 'sour grapes' on the part of the defeated, however it's all about opinions and although nothing much to do with Hartpury College and how they played, key decisions seemed to go for the home side.

On 2 occasions, the ball seemed to be grounded by the visitors, only for the officials to somehow rule them out.

Similarly, in the first half, DMPRFC dominated possession for the first ten minutes of play and with a particular period of set scrums and penalties awarded against the home side in or near to the red zone, no penalty try was awarded.

(So thats' the 'sour grapes' over with, now to the game)

No-one at the game could fail to be entertained by the open play on show, with the game literally going the way of the old cliche of 'a game of 2 halves' and with the very strong wind blowing directly down the pitch, whoever took advantage of the elements, were always going to prevail.

The pitch was fairly heavy in places.

The first half belonged to Hartpury College RFC, with some clinical finishing and good support work.

They scored four tries and achieved the try bonus point in that half and their kicker never missed an opportunity all game, which is why he is at or near to the top of the points table for a player in National League One.

The first try, after that initial period of scrum dominance by DMPRFC came as the visitors lost the ball during a defending lineout, which was scooped up and first shipped back left, before finding it's way through hands right, to the Hartpury fullback, who outstripped the covering defence and who according to his showing in the game and reports about him, is destined for Premiership rugby soon, even at the age of just 18 years (5 - 0). The conversion, although difficult, was successful from their lively scrum half (7 - 0).

The second followed quickly afterwards, when the ball was coughed up in the tackle by an attacking DMPRFC on halfway and again finding it's way through fast hands to their lightening quick full back, with the same result (12 - 0). Again their scrum half provided the afters (14 - 0).

If that wasn't bad enough for a shell shocked DMPRFC, a speculative kick into DMPRFC territory brought reward, when covering lock Rob CONQUEST collided with his own full back Henry ROBINSON, with the ball falling nicely for a Hartpury player to pick up and dot down (19 - 0). Again the conversion was spot on (21 - 0).

DMPRFC continued to battle on up front and win the scrums, however were making no progress in the danger areas, with Hartpury defending stoically.

A training ground set play led to Hartpury's bonus point try on the stroke of half time, where the ball was expertly thrown around, creating sufficient diversion for Hartpury to cut through the middle of a static DMPRFC defence for the score under the posts (26 - 0). The conversion was easy (28 - 0).

As the players left the pitch, DMPRFC wondered how they could have been so far behind, after apparently being in the game, apart from 4 fruitful attacks.

It was important in the second half, for DMPRFC to come out fighting, as otherwise Hartpury may have sought to run riot.

However, DMPRFC showed a steely character and mounted a fightback, that may not have seen them overhaul their hosts, but may at least bring a bonus point and more importantly a sense of pride in the shirt.

Hartpury lost their full back to a technical yellow card soon after the restart and the pushover try that followed soon after that was deserved, as the DMPRFC pack shunted their opposite numbers into reverse gear. No. 8 Andrew COX the scorer (28 - 5). Fly half Grant CONNONadding the extras (28 - 7).

Against the run of play, Hartpury managed a penalty to add to their total, when the referee adjudged the visiting defence to be offside, in what was his first occasion to do so in the game to that point.

Again the Hartpury kicker was metronomic with the attempt (31 - 7).

DMPRFC's second try game from pressure on the home line and winger Tom KILL crashing over for the score 31 - 12), which was again converted by Grant CONNON (31 - 14).

Hartpury again lost a player to a yellow card after repeated infringements by the same player at the ruck and their replacement hooker was sent to the dugout for 10 minutes.

Again, against the run of play, Hartpury fashioned another penalty to edge away (34 - 14).

It was all DMPRFC at this stage, hammering away at the line and when winger Lewis JOHNSON powered over for the third through the heart of the Hartpury defence (34 - 19) some respectability was restored.

However, time had run out for any other heroics, but DMPRFC will feel aggrieved that although Hartpury College certainly deserved their victory, more could have been had by the way of points for the visitors.