In an intense Championship Rugby match on Friday evening, Hartpury was edged out by Ampthill with a final score of 32-27. Hartpury took an early lead with a team try by Brad Denty in just five minutes, but Ampthill fought back valiantly. Former Hartpury student Oscar Wilson scored in the corner to level the score. Wilson then turned playmaker, setting up Tongan winger Sione Va’enuku to score under the posts, giving Ampthill a 12-5 advantage after a Luke Davidson conversion.
Ampthill extended their lead with a try from replacement flanker Charlie West at 24 minutes. Hartpury responded with two tries from lineouts, including one by Harry Short, both converted by Harry Bazalgette, bringing the score to a thrilling 17-17 tie. However, Wilson’s second try restored Ampthill’s lead to 22-17 by halftime.
The second half saw Hartpury quickly regain momentum as Sam Alford scored early with Bazalgette’s conversion, putting them ahead 24-22. But Ampthill answered decisively with Va’enuku’s spectacular try, sprinting around a defender to score under the posts. Late penalties exchanged by Davidson and Bazalgette couldn’t close the gap as Ampthill secured five points from the encounter.
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In National 2 West’s electrifying 17-try, 107-point marathon, Loughborough Students triumphed over Cinderford 57-50 at The Bell Sports and Rugby Park. Both teams traded rapid scores, thrilling fans with relentless attacking flair. Seb Rodriguez-Davies and Ben Webb opened scoring for Loughborough, followed by quick responses from Cinderford’s Reilly Scriven and Jack Condliffe. The lead swapped multiple times, with standout performances from Elis James and George Worthington for Loughborough and Josh Horrobin and Reeve Brighty for Cinderford. Worthington’s hat-trick, along with Webb’s successful conversions, sealed Loughborough’s exhilarating victory.
Newent rebounded strongly from an early deficit to dominate Dudley Kingswinford 57-27 in Regional 1 Midlands, crossing the try line nine times. Despite falling behind 10-0 early on, Newent’s Josh Lever, Ethan Allen, and Leo Oakey turned the tide before halftime. The second half saw Jim Hartland and Fin Mellis score multiple tries as Newent steadily pulled away, showcasing depth and resilience.
Drybrook, despite spirited play and multiple tries from Sam Peaper and others, fell 45-29 at Lutterworth. Meanwhile, Lydney secured a convincing 43-22 win at Marlborough in Regional 1 South West. Kyle Frowen and Brad Dunn led early scoring, with Charlie Beddis adding crucial conversions and a penalty. Marlborough was hampered by a red card but fought back before Lydney pulled clear in the final minutes.
Other notable results included Stow-on-the-Wold maintaining second place in Regional 2 Midlands West with a 54-24 win over Edwardians, powered by multiple tries from Toby Stayt, Will Marks, and Gus Hayward. Longlevens dismantled Royal Wootton Bassett 64-31 in Regional 2 Severn, with Matt Fatica impressing through a hat-trick of tries. Old Centralians beat North Dorset 47-26, boosted by tries from Diontay King and others, lifting them to sixth in the table.
Cheltenham conceded their fixture against Keynsham, while in Counties leagues, Taunton II defeated Chosen Hill Former Pupils 40-19. Cinderford United held onto their top spot in Counties 2 Gloucestershire following a 31-26 win over Smiths.
Elsewhere, Frampton Cotterell cemented runners-up status with a 45-31 win over Stroud, Old Patesians narrowly defeated Cheltenham North 29-27, and Tewkesbury dominated Old Richians 71-7 with Nathan Barry scoring a hat-trick. Dursley edged Bream 31-24, while Fairford crushed Calne 62-19 in Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North.
Cirencester maintained top spot in Counties 3 Gloucestershire North with a commanding 78-7 victory over Old Cryptians, featuring multiple tries from Jack Thorn and Josh Woodward. Hucclecote was awarded their match against Coney Hill by default, and Bredon Star edged Gloucester Old Boys 15-7.
Cheltenham Saracens fell 33-27 at Lydney II despite tries from Connor McDaid and teammates. Berry Hill held on for a 26-19 bonus point win over Drybrook II, thanks to tries from Jack Pitt and Harry Jenkins.
Brockworth achieved a 32-14 win over Spartans, courtesy of a George Gladding hat-trick, while Smiths II will face Old Patesians II in the Cheltenham Combination Junior Cup after dispatching Cheltenham North II 48-20.
The league action provided plenty of excitement and shifting fortunes as clubs push towards season climaxes across the region.