Hopefully, the Arctic conditions have slightly improved as you read this.It has certainly been a harsh winter and this week's snow only compounds the problems.

Neil Reader

Hopefully, the Arctic conditions have slightly improved as you read this.

It has certainly been a harsh winter and this week's snow only compounds the problems. Maybe it would be an idea to introduce an Alpine Skiing Academy at West Suffolk College, although a lack of mountains might make that difficult!

Hartpury, from the West Country, were our visitors for matches with both round and oval ball.

Hartpury are one of the few teams our rugby lads are yet to beat and they kept that record intact. Although our lads took an early three-point lead, the final score was West Suffolk College 9, Hartpury College 45. However, it was an excellent display despite the scoreline.

The match was a real test of the West Suffolk defence with the well drilled and much larger Hartpury players attacking from all angles.

Coach Nigel Brown said: “The boys competed well and the final scoreline seemed to flatter our visitors. The fact that Hartpury bring all their top players to us is praise indeed. I would like to thank Thurston RUFC for hosting this fixture and I am hopeful that we will play many more games at the club.

“They were happy to step in at short notice and the pitch and clubhouse were excellent - conditions which lent themselves to great rugby.”

In the 11-a-side game, Hartpury took a two-goal lead after 30 minutes but, as is becoming the pattern, we got back into the match just before half-time, with Craig Nurse finding the net from close range.

A much improved second half saw us level. Once again Nurse was the scorer. We nearly snatched all three points at the death when Jack Minns rounded the keeper, but his angle was too tight and he fired wide. A draw, though, was probably a fair result.

Craig made it an even more memorable week when he became another Sports Academy youngster to make his debut for Bury Town first team, in their comprehensive 4-0 win against Bedworth United.

Finally, I would like to add my thanks to both Thurston Rugby School and Thurston Community College who very kindly hosted the matches at the very last minute. Both our usual venues were under water (again) and with our visitors already on their way alternative venues had to be found.