The Bath Rugby partnership school lost 33-28 at home in front of a large crowd. The RFU ACE League pits the partner state schools or colleges of all the Premiership clubs against each other in a National League of exceptional quality. Hartpury College are affiliated to Gloucester.

The game started in dreadful conditions and the strong wind played a significant role in the game throughout. Playing against the wind in the first half Beechen were under pressure from the start and struggled to exit. Eventually the pressure told and Hartpury opened the scoring. Not long after, they doubled their advantage. Beechen did well to get back into the game while fighting the elements. A Billy Sela brace from close range got the Bath team back into the contest, but unfortunately Hartpury scored again just before the break.

The second half became a war of attrition between two well-drilled and robust defences. No.8 (and Player of the Match) Kacey Pike brought his customary physicality to the game having just returned to the team from a long-term injury. Fly-half Raff Weston exploited the conditions well and created numerous opportunities for the Beechen Cliff line-out maul. Although they scored two good tries from this, lack of accuracy in execution meant that other chances were wasted. In fairness, Hartpury’s excellent line-out defence was a thorn in Beechen Cliff’s side throughout the game.

As the game neared the close, Hartpury broke free to score two good tries. Beechen had chances to win the game at the death, but frustratingly were unable to convert their pressure into points. At the final whistle Beechen Cliff were left ruing missed opportunities and had to be content with two losing bonus points, which at least keeps them at the top of the league, despite the loss. In all likelihood, these two teams will meet again in the later stages of the competition and, if nothing else, Beechen Cliff will reflect that if they take their chances better in the return game, a victory can definitely be achieved.

Next week, the team are on the road again, this time visiting Bishop Wand School in Sunbury, who are the London Irish partner school.

Beechen Cliff's unbeaten run comes to an end v Hartpury

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