BUCS Focus: M1 Rugby Union

Northumbria University M1 Rugby Union continued their unbelievable start to the season with a stunning win over Hartpury College, defeating the defending champions 26-12.

Heading into the clash, TN sat top of the table having won four of their opening five games - a remarkable feat considering last season’s sixth place finish.

It was a rough opening 40 minutes for the visitors but head coach Darren Fearn admitted he was impressed with how his side handled their half-time adjustments.

“It’s a bit of a cliché but we were still on the bus when the game started, similar to the Bath game,” said Fearn.

“Hartpury came out of the blocks flying, which we knew would be the case after they lost to Cardiff Met.

“They probably had about 80 to 90 per cent of the possession in the first half so to only concede 12 points is something I’m really happy with.

“The lads came in at half-time and the dressing room was really calm. They knew what they needed to do and they went back out and did just that.”

And while TN trailed for the second time in two weeks at half-time, Fearn went further to say that the second half performance against Hartpury was TN’s most mature performance this season.

“To only concede 12 points against Hartpury is a great achievement,” said Fearn.

“We did have a couple of opportunities in the first half that I would have liked us to put away but we worked really hard, and defended well.

“I’m really happy with our second half though. I thought it was our most mature performance this season. We were calm and collected.

“We kicked our points, kept the scoreboard ticking over and put ourselves in a great position.

“I’m proud of these lads. Last season we came down to Hartpury and they put 74 points on us. That second half was down to experienced heads and hard work.”

TN’s place at the summit of the table was consolidated further on Wednesday evening after Cardiff Met beat Exeter.

The result means that TN sit top of the table with a four-point lead and while Fearn admitted that he did not expect his side to be in the position they were he was adamant that his side were grounded enough to deal with the pressure.

“Last season was a blessing,” he added. “We were down around the foot of the table but we knew we weren’t a bad side.

“I think that’s helped us. It’s made the lads a much more grounded side. They know what it felt like last season so it’s a very nice place to be.

“The lads are grounded as a group and they’re not going to get complacent.

“We might not have expected to be here at the start of the year but there isn’t any pressure on us and we’re enjoying where we’re at.

“We might have outperformed our goals at the start of the season but we always knew what these lads were capable of.

“So, we’re excited at the minute. We’ve got a great game against Oxford coming up on Monday and that’ll be a really good chance for some of the second team to stake a claim.”