It was a victory achieved in atrocious conditions, but one that has set-up a top of the table clash with Exeter University at Sandy Park on Wednesday, 27 October.
The former Scarlets age-grade outside half skated through on the blindside of a scrum for one of his side’s bonus-point haul of four tries and there were also two driving line-out tries from hooker Morgan Nelson.
The bonus-point try came in the right corner from wing Max Cunnington and Roderick-Evans conversion completed another great night for the Archers. Every game they have played to date has been in the Welsh capital, so their first away day is going to be crucial as they bid to win the Super Rugby title for the first time.
Having gone into a 10 point lead early in the game they were pegged back to 15-13 at the break as Hartpury stayed in the contest. Their fourth penalty of the night meant they were still in touch at 25-19, but a combination of Roderick-Evans deadly accurate boot and Cunnington’s try finally sent them packing.
Exeter warmed-up for the mouthwatering clash with the Archers by winning 22-16 at Leeds Beckett University. They paraded four Wales U20 caps in their pack and had senior Welsh Squad member Chris Tshiunza playing at blindside.
Swansea University hauled themselves off the bottom of the table in a key relegation battle with Northumbria. Having made the long trek to the north east they came away with a much needed 38-26 bonus-point triumph.
Cardiff University gave Loughborough a good run for their money in the midlands before going down 32-6 in the end. The visitors went 6-0 up through two penalties and were very much in the game when they teams changed ends with the scores level at 6-6.
Loughborough then struck four minutes after the break with a try from skipper Teddy Leatherbarrow and Reece Malone’s conversion stretched the lead. The home side bagged a penalty try in the 64th minute and Cardiff lost lock George Shaw to the sin-bin at the same time.
That allowed Loughborough to increase the pressure and they eventually added two more tires, with the bonus-point score coming in the 80th minute.
