Nottingham 22-20 Hartpury (RFU Championship) 01.10.21
Nottingham Rugby pulled off an exciting win at the Bay on Friday night against Hartpury, clinging on to a two point win despite a late try by the away side.
Jake Farnworth gave the home side an early advantage finishing off some brilliant play by Elliott Creed for the first try of the night in just two minutes. Sam Hollingsworth converting for an early 7-0 lead.
Farnworth then went over again on eleven, pushing forward from winning the line out just five metres out, the conversion missed, meant Nottingham were 12-0 up.
After a resurgence by Hartpury who nearly scored, Nottingham had two penalty attempts at goal, one from distance which Hollingsworth failed to kick through the posts, another much closer on 29 which gave the hosts a fifteen point lead, and then Michael Stronge ran through after another brilliant move, he touched down on 31 before Hollingsworth converted again to put the Archers 22-0 up.
Hartpury did pull back three points with a penalty before half time, and the away side came back early in the second half to reduce the deficit with a try and conversion after Harry Short went over on 46.
Cameron Jordan was then shown a yellow card for Hartpury for a late tackle, and Nottingham looked to see out their advantage until the 77th minute when Luke Stratford pushed over, Williams missing the conversion to leave the scores at 22-13.
That meant Hartpury needed two scores and although Stratford went over in the final minute, with another good kick ensuring seven points reduced the gap to two, the full time whistle stopped the away side in their tracks and despite another tough second half of rugby for Nottingham, they for the second time this season managed to gain victory and close out the game, much to the delight of the home support.
Nottingham have now won two of their three matches so far this season. Next up however is another stiff test, Ealing Trailfinders away on Saturday 9th October.
*Main image @NottinghamRugby the players celebrate another win on the board.
