By Dewi Williams
Cardiff returned to Llanrumney for another season of BUCS Super Rugby on Wednesday night, falling just short against Hartpury in a fast-paced and physical encounter.
The home side found themselves trailing from the outset, with Hartpury scoring a converted try in the second minute. Some promising play from Cardiff got them back in the game, with hooker Isaac Buck crashing over off the back of a driving maul in the 11th minute.
Cardiff bolstered their lead a few minutes later, after some well worked offloads found openside Max Truby in space out wide. Hartpury hit back with a converted try minutes later, before Cardiff came back down the field with inside centre Tom Unsworth picking a great line and thundering over the whitewash. With debutant Llew O’Brien 2/3 from the tee, the score at 20 minutes Cardiff 19 – 14 Hartpury.
Hartpury dominated the following ten minutes, scoring another converted try in the 27th minute. Cardiff responded almost instantly once again however. Isaac Buck crossed for his second try after yet another well worked driving maul, and outside half O’Brien added the extras.
Despite the fightback, Hartpury would go into half time with the lead after getting over the line off the back of a rolling maul of their own. The score going into the break Cardiff 26 – 28 Hartpury.
The hosts wasted no time getting back into the game in the second half as captain Finn Charles’ solo effort saw him get over almost straight from the kick-off. A Hartpury try and a penalty try in quick succession saw the visitors go up by 9, before a penalty from Llew O’Brien cut their lead down to 6.
Momentum swung back and forth between the two sides during the following period, with a hard-fought try for Hartpury extending their lead in the 56th minute. Cardiff hit back 10 minutes later with substitute Dan Buffrey sniping round the edge of a ruck to dot the ball down under the posts. Fullback Charlie Brook converted to make it Cardiff 43 – 49 Hartpury.
Hartpury would land the finishing blow in the 69th minute, scoring a converted try to make it 43 – 56. Cardiff would battle hard in the closing minutes but Hartpury’s composure and strength in defence managed to hold them out.
Despite a valiant effort and plenty of attacking prowess, Cardiff just fell short in the latter stages.
They come away from round one of BSR with a losing bonus point and look to build on the positive aspects of the performance next week away against Durham.
