Hartpury College RFC back on track

A depleted Hartpury College side scored six tries and kept their top four place as they secured an outstanding 40-10 victory over sixth-placed Redruth in new head coach John Barnes’ first home game in charge.
 
The Cornishmen started brightly and Craig Bonds glided through a sizeable gap in the students’ defence for the first try on nine minutes.
 
Hartpury, deprived of 13 frontline players due to England Students selections, Gloucester’s LV Cup match against Cardiff Blues and injuries, had to work hard for their riposte, which came two minutes before the break when skipper Nathan Thomas powered over Dean Bonds on the wing for a try converted by Craig Jackson.
 
Rob Dempsey then touched down for a five-pointer in the corner on the stroke of half-time following a bulldozing Darren Morris carry, with former Bath fly half Gareth Knox’s converted try six minutes later extending their lead to 19-5.
 
Glen Lewis went over for the bonus point score on 57 minutes after being released by Harry Collins as Hartpury began to dominate.
 
Impressive flanker Brandon Walker scythed through the Redruth defensive line to add a fifth, and Sebastian Rodwell’s delightful chip and backhand offload set up Lewis for his second.
 
Dean Bonds grabbed a consolation score for the Reds at the death after his side had notched up a number of phases inside Hartpury territory.
 
Hartpury College RFC’s next match is at relegation-threatened Westcombe Park on Saturday 11th February.
 
Squad: 15 Speirs 14 Lewis (2T) 13 Jackson (5C) 12 Rodwell 11 Dempsey (1T) 10 Knox (1T) 9 Gasson 1 Morris 2 Collins 3 Thorne 4 Waldron 5 Casson 6 Walker (1T) 7 Craven 8 Thomas (capt., 1T) 16 Cano 17 Rodrigues 18 Ailes 19 Mills 20 Davies
 
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