Hartpury delivered a commanding performance against Nottingham, securing a 52-19 victory to solidify their hold on the final Elior Championship Rugby play-off position. Despite Nottingham leading early on, Hartpury responded with tries from Harrison Bellamy, Brad Denty, Rob Smith, and Alex Gibson, all expertly converted by Harry Bazalgette. In the second half, tries from Charlie Powell, Max Knight, and Cai Gealy, coupled with Bazalgette’s accurate kicking, pushed Hartpury beyond 50 points.
In National 2 West, Cinderford celebrated a strong 26-17 victory over Lymm at Bell Sports and Rugby Park. Jake Polledri made a significant impact, scoring twice early in the match, supported by conversions from Greenman that built a 19-0 lead. Despite Lymm’s efforts, including a penalty try, Cinderford held firm even when reduced to 12 men and clinched the win with tries from Matt Cotton and others.
In Counties 1 Western North, Old Redcliffians II overwhelmed Gordon League 45-17, while Chosen Hill FP conceded their match to Gordano. Meanwhile, in Counties 2 Gloucestershire, Cinderford United were crowned champions following a dominant 52-12 win over Tewkesbury. James Kear shone with four tries, aided by six conversions from Harry Tovey.
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St Mary’s Old Boys sit second after a walkover, with Frampton Cotterell in third despite a narrow 39-38 loss at Cheltenham North. Smiths Rugby enjoyed a 53-14 triumph over Bream, highlighted by Luke Cador’s hat-trick. Old Elizabethans secured a 47-23 win against Old Patesians, with multiple try scorers contributing.
Stroud edged out Dursley 30-29 in a fiercely contested league and cup double-header, buoyed by outstanding kicking from Joe Ashenford. Hucclecote grabbed a one-point league lead over Cirencester in Counties 3 Gloucestershire North with a 44-22 victory over Lydney II. Cirencester bounced back with a 52-22 win against Spartans, while Brockworth staged a dramatic 34-33 comeback win against Bredon Star.
Cheltenham Saracens defeated Berry Hill 31-7, and Coney Hill recorded a 50-14 win against Gloucester Old Boys, thanks to multiple try scorers and effective conversions. Old Cryptians secured a 38-29 victory over Drybrook II in another tight fixture.
Combination Cups Round-Up
The Cheltenham Combination Senior Cup has been cancelled this season due to fixture clashes with RFU National Cups.
The Papa John’s Community Cups quarter-finals are scheduled for May 2, featuring Smiths Rugby vs. Cantabrigian, Tewkesbury vs. Stroud, and Cheltenham Saracens vs. London Exiles. Junior and Minor Shield finals will also take place, with Smiths II to face Cheltenham Tigers II in the Junior Cup and Cheltenham Saracens III meeting Old Patesians III in the Minor Shield.
In the Forest Combination Senior Cup final, Newent will meet Lydney following a narrow 14-8 win over Drybrook. The Junior Cup final features Cinderford United against Newent Phoenix, after Bream withdrew from their semi-final.
The North Gloucester Combination Elite Cup final is set between Old Centralians and Matson at Hucclecote on May 3. The Martin Slatter Cup final will see Hucclecote face Old Cryptians after semi-final wins.
Matson and Hucclecote have advanced in the Glanville Cup, setting up respective finals against Gordon League III and each other.
Stroud and Cirencester will clash in next season’s Stroud Combination Senior Cup final after a 30-29 thriller against Dursley.
Painswick advance to the Junior Cup final, awaiting winners between Minchinhampton and Stroud II. Wotton triumphed 48-5 over Cainscross in the Bill Adams Cup and await their final opponents from Cirencester II or Dursley II.