Stratford try double helps Hartpury break their win duck in Cup

HARTPURY won their first Championship Cup game of the season, beating Nottingham 33-19.

In a group that also contains Ealing and Jersey, Hartpury knew it would be long odds against them progressing and they lost their two opening games and conceded 119 points in the process.

Hartpury, with Mitch Eadie and Sam Lewis the stand-out performers in a dominant pack, led 14-0 when Luke Stratford scored two tries in the first half, both converted by Tommy Matthews

Nottingham needed a response and got one when David Williams ran to score after being given his opportunity by a well-timed pass from Morgan Bunting, who converted.

Nottingham changed hookers at half-time and it paid immediate dividends when replacement Harry Clayton finished off a driving line-out, Bunting converting to level the scores.

However, Hartpury regained control when Jean-baptiste Bruzulier forced his way over from close-range, converted by Matthews.

They scored the best try of the night when swift passing presented Bradley Denty with an easy run-in, Matthews’ conversion making it 28-14.

Hartpury’s George Perry finished off another line-out drive, and Nottingham grabbed the final try when Liam Slatem darted over.

Hartpury have no game this weekend, and return to Championship action on December 3 with a trip to Ampthill.