UWIC miss out in Twickenham final

UWE Hartpury 27 – 14 UWIC

The former Bridgend and Celtic Warriors Coach guided the Gloucester college to their first national title following a 27-14 victory at Twickenham.

It was the second season in a row UWIC, champions in 2003, were sent crashing by Hartpury College following their narrow quarter-final loss last year. Defeat also denied the Welsh college a sensational double after the ladies team lifted the cup earlier in the day.

That feel-good factor rubbed off on the men’s team as fly half Sam Osborne’s penalty handed UWIC an early lead only to lose the initiative, conceding a try either side of half-time to trail 17-3.

Fullback Matt McLean grabbed another three points for UWIC with a 51st minute penalty but matters worsened once again for the Welsh university with the sin-binning of Martin Webbdale: Hartpury made the advantage count with a third try moments later.

Johnny Webber went over for UWIC in the final minutes but it was too little too late to bring the title across the Severn Bridge.