FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

Droitwich Spa v Hartpury University

Marsh Challenge Cup. 8th March 2025.

Kingys. 3.00pm

Spa’s own most noted academic

When I were a lad, being a student was all about drinking cheap beer in the Students’ Union, going to gigs and ousting “Thatcher’s evil Tory government.” There was very little emphasis on sport (although former footballer/manager Steve Coppell and Great Britain rugby league captain Phil Clarke are both fellow alumni.)

Things seem very different now. Loughborough University has long been renowned for producing excellent athletes. Bath Uni had a successful non-league football team and now Hartpury University appears to have been passed the baton. Their Rugby Union team sits fifth in the Rugby Championship, the second tier of elite rugby in England. Now the football team are making a charge.

After winning the Hellenic League first division last season, Hartpury have taken that form forward and now head the Premier division. They stand equal in points with Mangotsfield United but have 5 games in hand on their closest rivals!

The Saltmen go into the gamed buoyed by recent emphatic away wins at Chipping Sodbury and Wellington. Having already beaten Step 5 teams Ashby Ivanhoe and Westfields, Saturday’s opponents will not intimidate the Droitwich men.

It remains to be seen whether both promotion chasing managers will choose to select full strength squads. This game could be seen as a distraction to their respective promotion aspirations. However, even if MARSH is an acronym for Might Aswell Rest Several Heroes, Spa’s strength in depth will assist manager Andy Crowther with whatever selection he makes.

Should be an interesting encounter.

See you there.

Cheers

Steve