CHOSEN HILL FP 10 HARTPURY COLLEGE 29

With first use of the slope and a strong following wind, Hartpury took the lead after just five minutes when openside Kosie Haarkoft touched down for an unconverted try after his fellow forwards drove a rolling maul over the line. Ten minutes later they went further ahead with a second forward’s try and this time outside half Sam Dimmick added the conversion.
Chosen were competing well in all phases and two strikes against the head typified their determination to really take on the league leaders, but Hartpury were in fine form and went further ahead after twenty five minutes when full back Matt Betty joined the line at pace and went over in the corner for the first of his two tries.
Chosen responded in the best possible way when winger Peter Sykes intercepted a speculative Hartpury pass near the half-way line and raced up the slope for a try converted by skipper Andy King.
Chosen then lost King to the sin-bin and whilst he was off the field Hartpury used the extra man advantage to conjure up two further tries from Betty and winger Chris Hawkins with Dimmick adding one conversion for a 29-7 half time lead.
Despite loosing full back Mark Yemm and replacement flanker Dave Wells to injury, the second half, both territorially and possession wise truly belonged to Chosen as they battled away in an attempt to narrow the gap. Twice the Chosen forwards drove rolling mauls within inches of the Hartpury line but the visitors defence was strong and they managed to keep their line intact with the only score of the half coming on seventy minutes when King added a penalty goal after the visitors had infringed at a ruck.
Overall, another gutsy display from Chosen who next week travel away to Ivybridge in Devon for another league match.