By Tomos Smallwood
An electric performance from Hartpury proved to be too much for Cardiff, leaving the hosts in ninth place in the BUCS Super Rugby table with just two games remaining.
Cardiff had a strong start to the match, with their pressure being rewarded with a maul driving over the line and Josh Twigg claiming the first try of the contest giving the home side a 5-0 lead just 5 minutes in.
10 minutes later another driving maul would see Cardiff secure their second score, with Dylan Line driving over the try-line. However, a second missed conversion would leave the score at 10-0 to the hosts.
Just before the 20 minute mark, Hartpury would respond, a converted try bringing them right back into the contest, the score now 10-7.
3 minutes later Cardiff’s task would become more difficult, as full-back Charlie Brook would be shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock on, leaving Cardiff down to 14 for the next 10 minutes.
The visitors would take full advantage, in the 23rd minute Hartpury no. 8 Olly Allport scoring in the corner to give them a 10-12 lead.
Just 5 minutes later Hartpury fly-half Taite Fortey would convert his own try to give the visitors a 10-19 lead heading into the break.
The start of the second half would prove disastrous for Cardiff. In the 44th minute Hartpury scrum-half Sam Morton Smith would convert a great move from the visitors starting in their own half, which would be converted by Fortey to leave the score at 10-26.
Hartpury would regain the ball from the resultant kick-off and Welsh winger Iwan Pyrs Jones would land a crucial blow to the hosts, scoring a try that would be converted by Fortey to extend the visitors lead to 33-10.
Hartpury would all but seal their victory at the hour mark, stealing a Cardiff line out in the host’s own 22 leading to a try that would see the visitors go 28 points in front, the score 38-10.
Cardiff were given a glimmer of hope with winger Jack Thomas continuing his fruitful season with another try, however, another uncharacteristic conversion miss by the in-form Tomi Booth left the score at 38-15.
Cardiff would be dealt a final blow by the visitors as a try from a driving maul would be converted to leave the score at 45-15.
Despite late pressure, Cardiff were unable to score a bonus point securing fourth try meaning they left the match empty handed.
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY RUGBY 