University of Gloucestershire’s Men’s Rugby Union captain Aodha Hession remained positive after his side’s 27-21 loss to Cardiff Met on Wednesday.
Despite the winless start to the season, the Irishman kept a level head to review both the positive and negative aspects of their first-round cup defeat in the Welsh capital.
“It’s a frustrating result. Not because we lost by a great margin but because we were close to getting the result.” Said Hession.
“Our own discipline and decisions in key moments of the game let us down when it really mattered.
“We’re trying to build on performances every week, so there are plenty of positives to take away, but it definitely feels like it’s one that got away from us today.”
Although trailing for the majority of the fixture, a try from fullback George Morse on the stroke of full-time epitomised Gloucester’s resilience and intent to play all afternoon.
Proud of his teammates’ performance, Hession said: “It’s a credit to the boys’ attitude, in a game where we looked down and out, we stuck at it.
“There were parts in the game where we were camped in our own 22 but we played our way out, got some go forward, and really earned our right to play and we were rewarded by the try from George right at the end.”
Having started slowly, the captain felt his team deserved something by the end of the game and felt like his team finished the game much-improved.
“We obviously left it a bit late but there’s still things to be happy about moving forward.” He said.
Acknowledging there is plenty to work on after the loss, Hession also listed the ways in which his side must improve to turn the run of losses into wins.
“A key thing was just to keep our shape as we had success in small portions of the game when we kept it well and looked to play into space.
“We just need to bring more consistency with that and just tighten our defence up to turn these good performances into results.”
With University of Gloucester’s Women’s Rugby Union head coach Gav Deane stepping in for the afternoon, Hession’s side were without their new coach Callum Braley.
Despite the absence of the ex-Italian international, Hession was hopeful for what his new coach’s influence may bring.
“We’ve gone through two years of a really tough patch in the coach department, and we’ve really had to fight our way through it.” He admitted.
“But Cal has really been a burst of energy into the group, lifting a lot of boys’ spirits, bringing a lot of good lessons with him along with his wealth of experience.
“The boys are definitely benefitting from his influence and hopefully it’s starting to show in our performances on the pitch.”
Now out of the cup, Hession’s side will look to their league campaign to secure their first win of the campaign.
