Last-gasp Hartpury heroics and Loughborough statement win headline BUCS Super Rugby action
Loughborough's impressive showing ended Hartpury's winning start to the BUCS Super Rugby season
©BSR / Ben Lumley
Hartpury edged Loughborough 29-24 in Women's BUCS Super Rugby, while Loughborough's men claimed a dominant 35-19 victory at the 4Ed Stadium.
Women's BUCS Super Rugby
Hartpury break Loughborough hearts with last-minute 29-24 win
A huge clash at the 4Ed Stadium saw Hartpury (1st) take on Loughborough (4th), with both sides harbouring ambitions of lifting the league title.
Hartpury had made a perfect start to the season, winning their opening two games against Surrey and Exeter, while Loughborough began their campaign with an away victory against Edinburgh last week.
This rearranged fixture carried plenty of anticipation. Could current champions Loughborough bring an end to Hartpury's long unbeaten league run, stretching all the way back to February 2025?
Loughborough started at a blistering pace. An early try arrived inside three minutes. A well-executed maul enabled centre Carmela Morrall to power over from close range. Ella Barnes added the conversion to make it 7-0.
Hartpury eventually hit back, with the imposing Rosin Maher proving too powerful for the Loughborough defence. Hanna Marshall added the extras to level the scores.
Loughborough, looking lively out the edge, carved through the Hartpury defence seven minutes later through Imogen Mockford.
The full-back found centre Izzy Clist, who linked up with Irish scrum-half Aoibhe Kelly, only for the latter to be hauled down just short of the line. Mockford was on hand to finish from the next phase though, putting Loughborough back in front.
Loughborough were on top and had opportunities to extend their lead before the break, but spurned a couple of chances inside the 22. They nevertheless took a seven-point advantage into half-time.
Whatever Andrew Ford said to his side at the break had the desired effect on Hartpury. Maher, as she so often does, led the charge, scoring twice in the opening 10 minutes of the second half to complete her hat-trick and give Hartpury a 17-14 lead.
But the quality of the contest meant the visitors were never going to relent. A sustained attacking spell earned Loughborough a penalty, and a maul from five metres out drew in the Hartpury defence.
Barnes opted to go wide, delivering an inch-perfect cross-field kick into the arms of Freya MacColl, who touched down. Loughborough regained the lead at 19-17 after 56 minutes.
The visitors, with momentum behind them, struck again through last season's leading try-scorer Harli Stanton, with the maul once more proving effective. Barnes was unable to convert, leaving Loughborough 24-17 ahead.
However, Hartpury's replacements were beginning to make an impact. The home side applied pressure, forcing an offside penalty before kicking to the corner. Once in position, they turned to their power game, with Maher crossing for her fourth try. Carys Hughes missed the conversion, leaving Hartpury two points behind with just over 10 minutes to play.
The pressure continued to build as Hartpury looked to preserve their unbeaten league record. Marshall's kick was fielded well by Mockford, but the full-back opted to take contact and found herself isolated. Hartpury duly won a crucial turnover penalty through Darcy Howchin.
Rather than take the points, Hartpury kicked to touch, finding the 22-metre line. Howchin's throw was on the money and the home side went to work once more.
Hartpury worked through the phases before a huge 15-metre maul drove them towards the line. Moving the ball to the left, they dragged the Loughborough defence across before shifting possession back to replacement Evie Owen, who powered over to snatch victory at the death. Hughes added the conversion to seal a 29-24 win.
A seismic victory for Ford's side. Loughborough had pushed them harder than any other side this season, but Hartpury found a way to get over the line. The result will provide huge confidence as they look to retain their league title. Cardiff University visit next week.
For Loughborough, there was plenty of heart and some excellent rugby. The champions will take the positives as they look to bounce back at home against Surrey next week.
Men's BUCS Super Rugby
Loughborough end Hartpury's unbeaten start with 35-19 win
The second half of a superb double-header at the 4Ed Stadium saw Loughborough (2nd) look to end Hartpury's (3rd) unbeaten start to the season.
The home side spurned a couple of early chances, with both teams looking threatening in the opening stages.
Eventually, the first try arrived, with captain Sebastian Rodriguez-Davies powering over for Loughborough's opener.
Loughborough then struck again as they capitalised on their momentum. Oscar Cawley and Davy Colbert combined to score the visitors' second, with Ben Webb adding his second conversion. It was 14-0 before the half-hour mark.
Hartpury needed a response and looked to break through with Bruno Lamb. However, an important intervention from Colbert forced the ball loose and presented Loughborough with an unlikely counter-attacking opportunity.
Webb, collecting the ball inside his own 22, found a gap and burst through before releasing Colbert, who raced away to score. Webb converted to make it 21-0, leaving the visitors in dreamland before half-time.
A reply was needed from Hartpury, but it did not arrive in the opening stages of the second half. Instead, Will Lamprell crossed for the African Violet just minutes after the restart to extend Loughborough's lead to 28-0.
Hartpury, staring down the barrel of a heavy home defeat, eventually found another gear and responded minutes later.
Lamb took on the Loughborough centre pairing brilliantly before offloading to Olly Allport, who crossed for Hartpury's first try of the match. Math Jones converted to make it 28-7.
Hartpury did make further inroads into the deficit before the hour mark. A series of excellent offloads created the opportunity for Luca Woodyatt to finish and score their second try. Taite Fortey converted to leave the home side 14 points behind.
With momentum firmly behind them, Hartpury struck again with 15 minutes remaining. Kealen Freeman-Price powered through multiple defenders from the back of a maul to score. Fortey missed the conversion, but the deficit was now down to nine points. Surely not?
Hartpury continued to chase the game but found themselves back under pressure following a couple of errors. A Woodyatt kick went out on the full, allowing Loughborough to gain territory inside the home side's 22.
With the maul set up for the African Violet, Cawley spotted a gap and sniped down the blindside, showing good footwork before crossing to all but secure the victory with 10 minutes remaining. Hartpury continued to knock on the door in search of a try bonus point, but Loughborough stood firm to secure an important statement win in the title race.
An impressive performance from Martin Webdale's side, who have responded superbly to their opening-week defeat against Bath. They now look well placed to remain in the title conversation deep into the season, with a trip to Brunel next week.
A reset is needed for Hartpury, who were stunned by the visitors' first-half scoring burst. They travel to Exeter next week as they look to put their silverware ambitions back on track.
Bath go top with bonus-point 38-12 win at Nottingham
Another side with silverware ambitions, Bath (1st), travelled to struggling Nottingham (8th) for their Round Six clash.
The return of Isaac Mears and Tate Williams to the starting line-up was welcome news for the away side, but it was BSR debutant Joseff Jones who produced a stunning opening score.
Receiving the ball out wide, he cut inside and through an overcommitted Nottingham defence before racing away from inside his own half to score. Bath led 5-0 after 25 minutes.
Bath, growing in confidence, overplayed minutes later as a Max Hooper pass went astray and was collected by Nottingham talisman Thomas Cunningham. He raced away from the 15-metre line to level the scores at 5-5.
Bath would have the final say of the first half. Hooper found himself in the wide channel with an overlap involving Harry Walker and Bailey Cutts. Cutts was the man to capitalise, crossing in the corner. Hooper converted to give Bath a 12-5 lead at the break.
A poor couple of minutes after the restart by Nottingham handed Bath control of the contest. An AJ Henry yellow card gave the visitors an opportunity to kick to the corner, and Harrison Osbourne did the rest, driving over from the back of a maul.
Walker crossed soon afterwards, with a Hooper conversion ensuring Bath made the most of their numerical advantage. It was 24-5 after 50 minutes.
Bath remained in control and added another through Walker with 10 minutes remaining. Will Roue converted to extend the lead to 31-5.
Nottingham responded through Kaiden Watson, who finished after a sensational break from Julian Nunn, who has been electric this season.
But Jones would have the final say, crossing for his second try in the closing minutes to round off an impressive Bath victory.
Bath looked clinical, with several key players returning to the side. Their squad depth is formidable, and a return to the top of the table on points difference underlines their strength. They look well placed to challenge for silverware again this season and travel north to Durham next week.
Nottingham head to Cardiff Met in Round Seven for what looks an important fixture for both sides near the bottom of the table.
Cardiff shock Exeter with 32-21 away win
Two sides coming off the back of impressive victories last week met in Devon. Cardiff (5th) completed an unlikely double over Exeter (6th) last season and were looking to continue that run.
However, it was Exeter who made the stronger start. A dominant scrum provided the platform, with hooker Tristan Rade scoring from close range. Freddie Hirst added the conversion to make it 7-0 after nine minutes.
But Cardiff, as they have shown on the road this season, demonstrated their ability to respond. Lloyd McEwan-Peters crossed after a lovely miss pass from Finn Charles. Llew O'Brien converted to level the scores.
Minutes later, Harry Woodman scored for Exeter after a huge 20-metre maul had taken the hosts close to the line. Hirst converted to restore Exeter's lead.
Cardiff's discipline continued to let them down, handing Exeter further territory. The hosts' power game came to the fore again as they drove over from 18 metres, with Rade crossing for his second try. Hirst added the conversion to make it 21-7 on the half-hour mark.
Cardiff needed a way back into the contest and snatched one out of thin air. Exeter centre Charlie Bosahno threw a speculative pass in midfield, which was intercepted by Cardiff's Ollie Das. He raced clear to score under the posts, with O'Brien converting to reduce the deficit to seven points.
And it was Cardiff who struck first in the second half. Charles kept the game at a breakneck pace, taking a quick tap and chipping ahead inside the 22. Replacement prop Henry Hughes was on hand to chase the kick and score.
O'Brien's conversion went wide, but Cardiff were firmly back in the contest at 21-19 after 57 minutes.
Exeter began to struggle, with indiscipline continuing to cost them. A maul from six metres out was driven over for Cardiff, with replacement hooker Isaac Buck getting the score. O'Brien converted to put the visitors 26-21 ahead.
Cardiff controlled the closing stages, with two O'Brien penalties, including one from halfway, securing an impressive 32-21 away victory for the Welsh side.
It has been a dream start to the season for Cardiff, who sit fifth after a third triumph of the campaign. Chris Davies' side host Leeds Beckett next as they look to build on their impressive form.
Met claim first win of season with 31-26 success at Leeds Beckett
The Cabbage Patch in Leeds was the venue as a struggling Cardiff Met (9th) travelled north to Leeds Beckett (7th) in search of their first win of the season.
A poor start from the visitors saw them fall 14-0 behind after 14 minutes. James Bent and Joe Atkinson crossed for two tries, while Jack Greig added two penalties. Beckett made good use of the width in the opening stages.
Met needed a response and found one minutes later through lock Alfie Blackett, who ran an excellent support line to score under the posts. Elis Thomas converted to reduce the deficit to 14-7.
Met were beginning to find their rhythm and struck again. Gethin O'Callaghan, returning to the starting line-up, beat a defender before offloading to Toby Lock, who crossed for the visitors' second try. The score was 14-12 to Leeds following the missed conversion.
Met made it three tries in 13 minutes through a maul score from Jac Morris. Thomas converted to give the visitors a 19-14 lead after 30 minutes.
Leeds would have the final say of the first half, however, with Freddie Kenyon crossing from a maul to level the scores.
After weathering some early pressure from Beckett, Met gained territory and an opportunity to retake the lead. Jamie Longyear scored the game's third consecutive maul try to put the visitors back in front.
A second try from Lock soon afterwards gave Met some breathing room. Thomas converted to extend the advantage to 31-19 after 60 minutes.
Met would control the final quarter, but Beckett struck late through Atkinson, who claimed his second try to secure a losing bonus point and a try bonus point for the hosts.
Louie Heard added the conversion from the touchline with one play remaining, but Beckett interestingly elected to kick from inside their own 22 from the restart, with the ball subsequently bouncing out of play.
Nevertheless, this was a huge victory for Dai Young and Cardiff Met, who lifted themselves off the bottom of the table with their first win of the season. They host Nottingham next week as they look to carry that momentum forward.
For Beckett, it was a disappointing two-point return from a game they will feel they could have won, given the circumstances. They travel to Cardiff next week looking to get back on track.
Brunel hold on to go fourth after 28-24 victory over Durham
A struggling Durham (10th) welcomed Brunel (4th) to Hollow Drift in search of their first win of the season.
That search got off to a positive start, with Rory Telfer crossing for a try inside two minutes.
However, the Durham defence began to creak just minutes later, with the hosts unable to cope with Brunel's maul. Joe Smart crashed over, and Jake Bulingham added the conversion to give the visitors a two-point lead.
But there were to be three tries in the opening 10 minutes, with Telfer grabbing his second. Quick thinking from Will Windows and a tap-and-go got Durham close before Platt found Telfer out wide with a tip-on pass. The Ulsterman has been in red-hot try-scoring form this season. The score was 12-7.
Brunel appeared simply too powerful for Durham and took control heading into the break. Two further tries, one from Chris Johnson and another from Gabriel Rigiste, gave the visitors a 21-12 advantage.
As in the first half, Durham started the second period superbly. This time it was the forwards who provided the score, with Alex Barkshire crossing in the corner. Platt added the conversion to reduce the deficit to 21-19.
An evenly contested second half followed, with both sides squandering opportunities close to the line. But it was Brunel who claimed the all-important next score.
A huge scrum penalty provided the platform to kick to the corner, and the visitors made the most of the opportunity. From seven metres out, Brunel set up their driving maul and replacement Loic Keasey crossed to secure the try bonus point. Gregory added the conversion to make it 28-19.
Brunel's defence then came to the fore, repelling a barrage of Durham attacks on their line. Eventually, Durham found a way through, with Will Matthews crossing in the corner. It was a score that secured the hosts a losing bonus point and a try bonus point, but ultimately not enough to take the victory.
Durham remain bottom of the table, and the fixtures do not get any easier. The visit of Bath next week looks a daunting prospect as they continue their search for a first win.
Brunel march on in fourth place, just three points off the top. That is surely beyond their expectations at this stage of their maiden season at this level.
A strong set-piece game has made them a side to fear in this competition. They face fellow top-four side Loughborough next week.
MBSR Round 7 - Next Wednesday
Durham vs Bath
Brunel vs Loughborough
Cardiff vs Leeds Beckett
Cardiff Met vs Nottingham
Exeter vs Hartpury
WBSR Round 4 - Next Wednesday
Brunel vs Edinburgh
Hartpury vs Cardiff
Exeter vs Cardiff Met
