2013/14 University Rugby Preview - Week 13

In the penultimate round of BUCS rugby fixtures, before the knockout stages of the competitions begin, it is all still to play for, as teams battle out for those all-important top spots and promotion places, while others fight to keep their heads out of those terrifying relegation zones.

At both extremes of the tables battles are still raging – more so than ever – with only two opportunities left for teams to bag a final haul of points.

Firstly, in the BUCS Northern Premier A League, everyone knows there is a monumental battle at hand. Durham, as they have done for the entire season occupy the table’s top spot, but Loughborough and Leeds Met are now hot on their heels.

The reigning Champions, on 38 points, travel the short distance to Northumbria University tomorrow, for the second North Eastern derby in a row.

Northumbria are a comfortable fourth in the league, currently – well clear of the relegation battle, but too far adrift to compete with the top three.

However, a victory away from home could create some real breathing room for Durham, as Loughborough are the side to sit out this week with no fixture, and will therefore remain on 35 points.

Elsewhere in the league, in possibly one of the most crucial games of the season, bottom of the league Leeds Uni travel to Nottingham, who are just one place and three points above the Yorkshire side.

A win for either team will leave the victor out of the relegation zone, and almost home and dry with one game left to go.

Finally, fifth place Newcastle welcome third place – and still title contenders – Leeds Met, who, on 32 points, will be looking to close in on Durham and Loughborough.

 

In the Premier B League there are four fixtures, with all eight sides in action.

Top of the table Birmingham – who have been there for the entire season – make the long journey to fifth place Edinburgh.

Sixth place Manchester host second place Nottingham Trent; Durham seconds welcome bottom of the league Sheffield Hallam and Loughborough seconds host York.

 

In the Southern Premier A League there are just two fixtures tomorrow.

League leaders Hartpury welcome third place Exeter.

In the repeat fixture earlier on in the season Exeter managed to turn over the University of West England in a gruelling 11-9 victory.

Exeter sit on 29 points – 6 behind the leaders – and they will be looking to repeat their last performance against Hartpury tomorrow and bridge the gap. However, Hartpury – with just the one loss against their name – the powerful Southern leaders will be out for revenge.

Also, in another bottom of the table grudge-match, last place Cardiff welcome sixth place Swansea, as both sides look to move ahead of the other, with just one point splitting the two.

 

Finally, in the Premier B league there are four games tomorrow as top of the league Cardiff Met seconds take on seventh place Reading; Cardiff seconds host Exeter seconds; Bath seconds host the University of South Wales and Hartpury seconds look to climb off the bottom of the table when they host St Mary’s.

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