Powergen National Trophy
Exeter Chiefs 35 (Tries: A Fatialofa 2, M Fatialofa, Yapp. Cons: Yapp 3. Pens: Yapp 3.).
Bedford Blues 37 (Tries: Allen, Hinkins, Penalty try, Brady. Cons: Hepher 3, Harris. Pens: Hepher 2. DG: Hepher).
This match went right down to the wire with an 86th minute drop goal settling the game.
The Blues had the better of the first half and went in 27-18 ahead with tries from centre Matt Allen and left wing James Hinkins along with a penalty try, Ali Hepher converted all three of them and added a couple of penalty goals.
For the Chiefs the Fatialofa’s each went over for a try and Yapp added eight points with the boot.
In the third quarter tries from Aliafatu Fatialofa and Yapp who converted them both to put them 32-27 ahead.
The Blues regained the lead on 64 minutes when No 8 Shaun Brady went over and Mark Harris added the conversion after coming on as a replacement to make it 34-32.
In the 74th minute the home side were back in front when Yapp kicked a penalty goal.
But the drama came deep into injury time when Hepher dropped a goal to take the Blues into the final.
Nottingham 10 (Try: Fitisemanu. Con: Stenhouse. Pen: Stenhouse.).
NEC Harlequins 24 (Tries: Easter 2, Duffy. Cons: Jarvis 3. Pen: Jarvis.).
Nottingham were first on the scoreboard with a 3rd minute penalty goal from Neil Stenhouse.
Quins responded and were in front six minutes later when No 8 Nick Easter went over for a try and Adrian Jarvis converted. The lead though only lasted five minutes before the home No 8 Nic Fitisemanu went over and Stenhouse converted to make it 10-7.
Nottingham held the lead till the 27th minute when the Quins got a second try as centre Gavin Duffy touched down and Jarvis converted to make it 14-10. Jarvis added a penalty before the break to send the visitors in 17-10 ahead. In the second half the only score came in the 64th minute when Easter completed a double and Jarvis converted for 24-10. |
