Hartpury U18 1st XV march on despite abandonment
Hartpury College U18s’ match against Myerscough in the RFU AASE League on Wednesday was abandoned after a serious injury to a Myerscough player, but with the score after 42 minutes reading 42-0 to Hartpury, the result will stand.
Hartpury were dominant from the off and opened their account on eight minutes through Tom Griffiths, who took advantage of an overlap on the left hand side to slice through and score in the corner.
A brilliant counter-attacking run from Mark Harrison six minutes later set the platform for flanker Lewis Ludlow to barge over for his side’s second try six minutes later, with Reece Boughton adding the conversion.
The home side grabbed their third try from the kickoff through Jacob Perry after fine work from Ludlow and lock Jonny Hill sent Griffiths clear on the right.
The ball was worked back to the opposite wing where fullback Perry crossed the whitewash for five points, converted into seven by Ben Penfold.
Penfold then slotted a penalty for a 22-point lead, before winger Mike McDonald sealed the four-try bonus point with just 25 minutes played.
Hartpury pressured Myerscough with some mature, composed phase play, switching the ball from side to side until Perry released the unmarked McDonald for the fourth try, converted by Penfold.
Alec Clarey added a fifth three minutes later when he touched down at the back of a well-executed lineout catch-and-drive, and a Boughton penalty ensured that the AASE League champions turned around at the break with an impressive 37-point advantage.
The hosts showed no sign of relenting in the second half as Jack Lawthom dotted down on 40 minutes for another five-pointer.
The winger, who has now scored five tries this season, showed excellent football skills to hack on Penfold’s kick for territory and beat the covering defence to the loose ball.
Hartpury seemed set to build a mammoth score, but the match was abandoned with 28 minutes still to play after a serious-looking neck injury to a Myerscough player, who thankfully has since been given the all-clear by the hospital.
Hartpury College would like to thank Myerscough for the match and look forward to the return fixture in November.
Hartpury’s next match is away at third-placed Oaklands College on Wednesday 10th October (2.30pm).
Final score: Hartpury College 42-0 Myerscough College (abandoned after 42 minutes)
Hartpury scorers
Tries: Griffiths, Ludlow, Perry, McDonald, Clarey, Lawthom
Conversions: Penfold (2), Boughton
Penalties: Penfold, Boughton
Hartpury squad
Perry; Lawthom, Harrison, Griffiths, McDonald; Penfold, Boughton; Edgson, Rhodes, Clarey; Bartle, Hill; Ludlow, Bowden, Genge (capt.). Reps: Charles, Jones, Safe, Hughes, Little, Westcott, Hayward.
Follow “Hartpury College RFC” on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news from the Rugby Academy
www.facebook.com/hartpurycollegerfc
www.twitter.com/hartpuryrfc (@HartpuryRFC)