Gloucestershire University 32 - 36 Edinburgh Eagles

 

Edinburgh Eagles qualified for the second round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup for the second consecutive year with back to back tries in the last 10 minutes.

 

Hat-trick hero Mike Wallace and half back Andy Grodynski will steal all the headlines, but it was an extremely determined team performance which sent the Eagles through.

 

Eagles started the better side and Wallace opened the scoring after 6 minutes with Grodynski converting, but were pegged back almost immediately by Gloucester'own hat-trick hero Alex Robinson who was a stand out performer for the students.

 

It was tit-for-tat try scoring throughout the first half with Wallace and debutant Rory McLeod scoring for the Eagles, Grodynski converting both to send Eagles in ahead 18-16 at half time.

 

It was Gloucester who started the second half better however, and Webster put them ahead 4 minutes in only for Scotland A captain John Cox to peg them back, Grodynski restoring Eagles lead with the kick.

 

Eagles then seemed to switch off, and Gloucester went ahead with quick back to back tries, Robinson completing his hat-trick. Gloucester were to stay ahead until Eagles stepped up a gear in the last 10 minutes.

 

Stalwart Ash Carroll pulled one back before Wallace completed his hat-trick with 4 minutes remaining, Grodynski finishing with a 100% conversion record. Eagles managed to keep control and discipline in the last 4 minutes to see it through to Tuesdays draw.

 

Man of the match Wallace a former Edinburgh Napier University Sports Union President was clearly delighted.

"Over the moon with that result, I felt we showed great character in the last 20 minutes, which hopefully we can continue with in the next round. I must say it was a fantastic game and Gloucester proved how high the standard of Student Rugby League is at the moment."

 

Head Coach Angus McNab praised his players but believes it's about what happens next.

"It was a big ask and a great effort from the boys to take time away from family and work commitments to travel such a long way and get a result. We are delighted with the win and will re-group at training tonight to set about progressing in the competition, as the third round is somewhere we have never been before. Considering we haven't played since September it really was a fantastic result."

 

We would finally like to thank our sponsors The Three Sisters and Edinburgh Napier University for their help.

 

Tries:

Wallace 3

McLeod 1

Carroll 1

Cox 1

 

Conversions:

Grodynski 6