Fourth straight win keeps Hartpury College RFC in touch at top

Two Richard Barrington tries helped Hartpury College RFC to a fourth consecutive National Division Two South victory as they overcame a strong challenge from former second tier side Launceston to emerge 34-19 victors in Cornwall.

Hartpury took a 6-0 lead within 10 minutes through the boot of Tim Stevenson, but whilst the home side’s fly half Kieron Lewitt pulled one back, Jack Hayes darted over for the first try to give Hartpury a 10-point advantage with Stevenson’s conversion.

Launceston, however, were the team that were in the ascendancy heading into the interval as two penalties and a try from the impressive Lewitt handed the Cornish All Blacks a slender 14-13 advantage, but the second period belonged to the College side as their forwards began to dominate in the tight.

Prop Barrington, who also scored a brace in the 49-14 win over Worthing the previous week, grabbed the first of his two tries on 49 minutes as he barrelled over from close range, and flanker Rob Langley added the Gloucestershire side’s third of the day 10 minutes later, with Stevenson converting both.

Barrington secured a crucial bonus point for Hartpury with five minutes remaining as he scored his second try of the day, before Launceston winger Aaron Struminski bagged a consolation for the Cornishmen in the last minute.

Hartpury would like to thank Launceston for their excellent hospitality and look forward to welcoming them to the College for the return fixture in March.

The RFC’s next game sees them take on Bristol-based Dings Crusaders in a West Country derby on Saturday 12th November.

Squad: 15 Speirs 14 Brend 13 Hayes (1T) 12 Rodwell 11 Clark 10 Stevenson (4C, 2P) 9 Field 1 Barrington (2T) 2 Townsend 3 Morris 4 Waldron 5 Casson 6 Walker 7 Langley (1T) 8 Thomas (capt.) 16 Britton (Townsend) 17 Thorne (Morris, sin bin 71’ - 80’) 18 Craven (Walker) 19 Davies (Field) 20 Lewis (Brend)

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