Cornwell so pleased with performance
HARTPURY kept up their solid start to the new Championship campaign with an 18-7 home win over Coventry on Friday night.
The Gloucestershire side lie in sixth place in the table with ten points, although the standings are very congested as bar bottom-ofthe-table London Scottish, the other ten teams all have either 11, ten or nine points.
Friday’s contest was hardly a try-fest, but head coach Mark Cornwell was nonetheless happy with the home victory.
“What a performance from the boys,” he said. “I didn’t think we would top our display against Cornish Pirates, but I was wrong.
“We didn’t get the bonus-point, which we probably should have done based on the first half, but the hunger, the desire and the organisation to just get off the line and hit people was immense.
“Coventry played some good rugby. They were direct, physical, but the boys just said ‘You’re not coming through’ and, as a coach, you can’t ask for more.”
“It’s not always easy to find, but they’ve got a fantastic team spirit. Now, we need to make sure that it continues.“
Sam Smith and Deago Bailey scored tries for Hartpury, with James Williams converting the latter touchdown and also kicking two penalties.
Meanwhile, Cinderford are out on their own at the top of National League One after their 36-12 home triumph against Plymouth Albion made it six wins out of six.
The Foresters are three points clear of the Rams, who defeated previous leaders Rosslyn Park 24-21 in Berkshire.
Cinderford took the lead when Nathan Taylor scored from the back of a well-driven maul.
Fly-half Reece Broughton then added a second try to extend the margin to 14 points.
Harry Hone added a third score in similar fashion to Taylor, although Plymouth replied just prior to half-time through wing man Alex Ducker.
Boughton kicked a penalty after the break, and Joe Dancer then finished off the try of the match to put the hosts further ahead.
Will Baldwin dotted down the last Cinderford score, although Plymouth’s Herbie Stupple had the final say with Albion’s second try of the afternoon.
Elsewhere, Taunton Titans remain in mid-table after they were beaten 53-28 by Sale FC.
The Somerset side were always behind, although most of the damage was done in the second half after they pulled back to just 24-21 down at the break.
In National League Two South, meanwhile, Worthing top the table after a hard-fought 35-33 victory away to Bristol side Dings Crusaders, while Redruth are in second spot as they ran out convincing 49-12 winners at home to Clifton.