Hartpury move into the final four games of the Greene King IPA season knowing that only a continuation of their current good form will be enough to give them a chance of survival.

Last weekend saw them clinch a famous away win at third-placed Jersey, a side they had not previously beaten, to lift themselves off the foot of the table, only for immediate rivals Richmond to achieve an even better result – in terms of league points – 24 hours later against a Nottingham team who had very little to play for.

However, with three wins in the past four fixtures, including a bonus-point win over Richmond, the Red & Blacks have done almost everything in their power over the past few weeks to give themselves a fighting chance.

The victory in the Channel Islands was described by experienced head coach Mark Cornwell as probably the biggest of his coaching career and there is no doubt that it represented a high point in Hartpury’s Championship experience so far.

An early Jersey interception try could have unsettled the visitors, but they quickly responded through their exemplary skipper Simon Linsell.

Late in the game, young fly-half Sam Leeming showed nerves of steel to wrap up the win with a late penalty kick. Throughout the game Hartpury played with purpose and composure, defending hard when necessary.

Of the remaining games, two are at home, starting with Saturday’s crunch encounter against another highly-placed team, Bedford Blues – fourth, and now level on points with Jersey.

The reverse fixture at Goldington Road, back in October, was a heart-breaker for the Gloucestershire side who were leading until late in the game before a late Bedford try, and a missed penalty kick of their own left them with only a couple of bonus points as consolation.

It was a very similar story at Hartpury last season when, again, a last-gasp Bedford try snatched the win.

Hartpury director of rugby John Barnes is happy with his squad’s current form but knows that those recent results will mean little against the Blues.

“We are expecting another big test in playing Bedford at home on Saturday,” he said.

“We had a great away win in Jersey last weekend, but lost ground on Richmond after their bonus-point win at Nottingham on Sunday.

“Bedford will pose a different threat to Jersey.

“They play an expansive brand of rugby and, in Rich Lane, they have one of the best attacking players in the League.

“Lee Dickson (formerly of Northampton Saints and England) controls everything from scrum-half and with his experience they have a quality leader on the pitch.

“However, with three wins out of the last four matches, we are all in good spirits and will be looking to continue that momentum through Saturday’s game and beyond.”

The only cloud on the horizon is the somewhat untimely return of the Premier Shield – formerly known as the A-League. The competition has the capacity to rob Hartpury of one or two of their recent strong performers, meaning that the club will leave it until the last possible minute before naming the squad to face Bedford.

Saturday’s game at the Gillman’s Ground will kick off at the normal time of 2.30pm.