2014/15 BUCS Review, Round 1: Derby Day!

After a long leave of absence and a summer to recover, it’s that time of year again – the start of a new BUCS rugby season. And what an opening round of action we at Talking Rugby Union have in-store for you…

It was ‘Derby Day’ across the country on Wednesday as the competition kicked into life with a bang, as a number of universities went into battle against their closest rivals. That’s right, for many students around the country it was that time of year again – Varsity!

As ever, we will begin in the northern Premier A league and more specifically last year’s BUCS runners-up, Leeds Becket University.

Perhaps the most intense rivalry in all of University sport, the Leeds rugby union varsity between Leeds Beckett and Leeds University attracts fans in their thousands each year and this season’s edition was no exception.

Yorkshire Carnegie’s ground was filled with expectant students, screaming at the top of their lungs for their team in a cauldron of music, drinks, atmosphere, chants and of course, rugby.

Straight from the kick-off it seemed as though the higher ranked Leeds Beckett were going to run away with a comfortable victory, after scoring to simple tries in the first quarter of the game. However, the fight back soon came, spearheaded by fly-half Jamie Guy – who had a fantastic game.

The tables were soon turned with a try of their own, a penalty and a fantastically professional drop-goal bringing the scores to 19-13 at the break.

The onslaught continued from the University of side, as they eventually took the lead for the first time in the game at 23-19.

With just 10 minutes left on the clock, crunch time came and after a dubious try from the University of to the victorious cheers of their supporting fans, it was Beckett who had the last laugh, with three late tries sealing victory.

What looked to be a comfortable 46-30 victory on the score sheet was anything but, as the lower ranked Leeds University side dominated proceedings for much of the match.

Watch our highlights video and match report from the game here.

 

Elsewhere in the northern A league, there was another battle between close rivals – the north east derby between Northumbria and Newcastle.

In a game riddled with tries and plenty of controversy, it was Northumbria who continued their good form over their rivals as they ran out eventual 29-10 winners, at Falcons ground Kingston Park.

The win sees both sides take their places at the top of the table, with Northumbria in the lead after their 25-11 victory over Lougborough two weeks ago.

 

Over the divide and into the southern A league now and the biggest result of the day came in Exeter as the green and whites defeated reigning champions Hartpury by 20 points to 12.

The opening fixture was always going to be difficult for Exeter at their Topsham Sports Ground; however, the sense of occasion did not get to them as they conquered last year’s Twickenham victors.

The home side got off to a fantastic start with an early drop-goal from fly-half Freddie Gabbitass dissecting the uprights and a brilliant solo try from Gavin Parker, who cut though a number of the Hartpury defence to make the score 10-0.

The visitors did manage to pull a try back before the break, to only trial by 5 points with 40 minutes left on the clock.

Gavin Parker made another brilliant break early in the second stanza, where he found the hands of Alex Wilcockson who ran over for the second score. Gabbitass again added the extras to make it 17-5.

A converted try almost straight after for Hartpury brought them back in contention, however, they couldn’t breach the Exeter defence another time as the final whistle went at 20-12 to Exeter.

One game down and already a loss for the defending champions – not the best of starts!

 

Elsewhere in the southern A league, Bath faced off with West Country rivals Bristol and saw them off with a commanding 35-11 victory at home.

Bath University lost out in the first round of the play-offs last year to Leeds Met; however, an older and more experienced side this year is hoping to go a few stages further this time around.

They lead the current standing on five points after the first round, with Exeter just a bonus point behind in second.

 

This Wednesday, in both the northern and southern competitions, there is a full card of fixtures in both leagues.

Firstly, in the northern half Varsity winners Leeds Beckett take on Newcastle, former champions Durham take on a naturally disheartened Leeds University and Loughborough host local rivals Nottingham.

And then in the southern competition there’s an all-Welsh clash between Swansea and Cardiff University, defeated Bristol welcome high-flying Exeter and Hartpury host Bath in what is sure to be a great fixture.

 

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