Chipping Norton bowed out of the EDF Energy Senior Vase with their heads held high despite a 41-7 home defeat to Hartpury College.

They battled valiantly in their fourth-round clash against top opponents, packed with pace and power.

Hartpury fielded a number of Premiership academy players and junior internationals, but never had it easy.

Had the match been played in dry rather than wet and boggy conditions, the students may have ran away with it, but Chippy must now regroup and secure promotion.

Hartpury showed their class the first time they ran the ball with pacey wing Pete Swatkins finishing a try he started on five minutes.

Chippy had to make the most of every chance they had and a powerful run from full back Barry Nutt saw them into Hartpury's 22.

Despite a couple of decent set-pieces, possession was lost and Hartpury fly half Tim Stevenson launched a counter-attack with a clever chip kick.

Less than 20 seconds later, centre Henry Trinder was touching down try No 2, which Stevenson converted on 14 minutes.

With prop Lee Tustin and lock Andy Chapman to the fore, Chippy rolled a maul within inches of the Hartpury line, but were held up.

Worcester Academy flanker Paula Havea, a former Tongan Under 18 captain, was causing huge problems with his running from the blindside position, ably abetted by No 8 Matt Gilbert.

Chippy's back row, led by skipper Jon Hickman had a busy afternoon in defence, but acquitted themselves well.

Gilbert powered in for a third try on 30 minutes from a quickly-taken penalty.

There was the odd flare-up as Chippy sought to maintain their intensity and prop Steve Holland received a stern lecture from referee Tom Davis.

With South African lock Andries Pretorious stealing almost every Chippy lineout, Hartpury had a ready source of ball.

Hartpury went further ahead with a try from one of their own lineouts as Havea was driven over on 48 minutes.

Swatkins broke on the right six minutes later and easily rounded Nutt to bag his second score, Stevenson converting for 29-0.

Chippy then enjoyed a good period of possession and territory, but couldn't make the most of an attempted short lineout between Lee Tustin and Holland.

Hartpury's defence was becoming increasingly stretched and they had Havea sin-binned on 63 minutes.

Prop Chris Turner soon followed him into the cooler five minutes later.

With a two-man advantage, Chippy finally got on the scoresheet as Davis ran out of patience and awarded the hosts a penalty try, which fly half Adam Smith converted.

Chippy couldn't build on this and once Havea returned, Hartpury roared back.

Replacement wing Chris Hawkins touched down in the left corner on 77 minutes and Stevenson converted well.

Chippy deserved a second score for all their efforts, but were stung by another counter attack in the final minute.

Havea's lightning break ended with Hawkins bagging his second try.

Chipping Norton: B Nutt (Hamilton 55), Hall, A Tustin, Royce, Korszewski, Smith, Naish, L Tustin, Waldron (Warner 70), Holland, Hancock, Chapman (Hohls 40), Hawken, M Dawson, Hickman (capt).

Referee: T Davis (Oxfordshire).

Chippy man-of-the-match: Hickman.