RESURGENT HARTPURY build on best win of season

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Created on Saturday, 30 March 2019 00:14

Last Updated on Sunday, 31 March 2019 09:39

Published on Saturday, 30 March 2019 00:17

Written by ANDREW BEACHAM at Hartpury RFC

Relegation haunted Hartpury beat third placed Jersey Reds away and yesterday beat fourth placed Bedford Blues at home 28-26 to maintain hopes of Championship survival.

The great escape is on as John Barnes' resurgent Gloucestershire side head into the final three games of the season boosted by four wins from five... and off the foot of the table again.

Last Saturday saw Pury clinch their best win of the season, 10-7 against Jersey, a side they had not previously beaten.

An early Reds interception try could have unsettled Barnes' team, who quickly responded through skipper Simon Linsell before young fly half Sam Leeming showed nerves of steel to wrap up the win with a late, great penalty kick.

Victory briefly hauled Hartpury off the basement, only for immediate rivals Richmond to win 35-13 at mid-table Nottingham last Sunday and move two points back above their relegation rivals.

Yesterday's win lifted Pury back off the basement and above Richmond beaten 38-17 by Jersey.

Ahead of yesterday's game Hartpury director of rugby Barnes says: “We had a great away win in Jersey last weekend but lost ground on Richmond after their bonus-point win at Nottingham on Sunday.

“Bedford will pose a different threat to Jersey. 

“They play an expansive brand of rugby and in Rich Lane have one of the best attacking players in the league."

Bedford are set to include 33-year-old former Northampton and England number nine Lee Dickson.

Barnes (pictured) says: “Lee Dickson controls everything from scrum-half and with his experience they have a quality leader on the pitch.

“However with three wins out from four we are all in good spirits and will be looking to continue that momentum through Saturday’s game and beyond.”

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