Sam Hollingsworth put in a master-class try-scoring display from the bench as Nottingham swung the pendulum in the second-half to get their first ever victory at the Alpas Arena after six times of trying

Hooker TJ Harris, wing David Williams, outside centre Marcus Ramage and fullback Ellis Mee all got over the whitewash as the Archers fought back from a 14-nil deficit to grab a statement victory by 12 points – their third bonus-point win over the last five fixtures.

A cold Friday night under the lights in Gloucestershire seem to have an impact as it took over 10 minutes for this fixture to spark into life.

But when it did, it was the home side who got ahead. Hartpury won a penalty at the break-down, kicked to the corner and openside Jarrard Hayler splintered off a rolling maul to score.

Nottingham looked to strike back through Williams but couldn’t execute, the winger beating two defenders on the blindside before being penalised for a double movement inches from the line.

Hartpury grabbed a second try as a great read by the home-side’s half-backs saw the ball drop to Robbie Smith, the outside centre racing over the try-line.

The Green and Whites narrowed the score with Harris scoring under a bundle of bodies. But Hartpury extended their lead with Harry Bazalgette grabbing a penalty-kick on the stroke of half-time.

Nottingham made several changes just after the break, and started really strong. Some great work down the short side set Williams free with the winger diving over in the corner. Bazalgette executed another penalty kick, before Hayler saw yellow for Hartpury’s repeat offending on the hour-mark.

The Archers capitalised, Hollingsworth off the tee before Ramage scored a solo effort from inside his own half.

Mee slid over from close range to put the visitors ahead for the first time and In the final minutes, some clever Notts interplay off a scrum saw Hollingsworth score in the corner to put a bow on a fantastic win