Second half capitulation leaves Exiles stranded

LONDON Scottish, competitive until half-time, disintegrated after the break as Hartpury took control to pick up their first away win since beating Jersey in March 2019.

It was played at a frantic pace – not always pretty but with plenty to keep the crowd entertained. Hartpury always had the edge in terms of discipline and execution, and the gap became a chasm in the second half as Scottish lost their shape – and their fifth consecutive league match of the season to remain pointless.

Hartpury DoR, John Barnes said: “We’re delighted with the win and with the five points.

“We were a bit frustrated at half-time with some aspects of our performance and the fact we let them back into the game, but we managed to put the game to bed early in the second half.”

It had started well for Scottish when Rory Hughes had crossed after some smart back-play and, although Hartpury pulled level with a lineout drive finished by Harry Short, the Exiles were back in front as Nick Selway finished their own attacking maul.

Hartpury got ahead in the second quarter when George Simpson, on his first start this season, finished some excellent phase play, and they stretched their lead to 20-12 moments later. Ben Foley did the damage with a run from deep before feeding brother Charlie for the score.

When Robbie Smith forced his way through some questionable Scots defence in the 32nd minute, it looked as though Hartpury might stretch away unhindered but another driven lineout, this time finished by James Tyas, narrowed the gap on the stroke of half time.

Scottish needed to score early in the second half, but instead it was the visitors who hammered home their advantage. Tries came quickly, with skipper Will Crane and Simpson, again, both scoring, the latter after another longrange attack.

Crane added his second from a drive minutes later and the game entered a scrappy phase before Hartpury cut loose. Jack Tovey, a summer signing who had been sidelined with injury, came on to create more mayhem and his break created a first Hartpury try for replacement scrum-half Oscar Lennon. No.8 Nahum Merigan also grabbed his first try for the club, fitting reward for a powerful performance.