2013/14 University Rugby Review - Week 6

After another thrilling Wednesday afternoon of University Rugby, we at Talking Rugby Union wanted to bring you all the latest scores, news and analysis from all BUCS rugby around the country.

After the thrills and spills of last week, the first fixtures of November saw another enthralling round of University rugby in the Northern A, Southern A and Southern B leagues, with there being no fixtures in the Northern B league this week.

Firstly on to the Northern A league and those men were at it again, as reigning champions Durham continued their unbeaten run this season; however, it wasn’t without a fight.

The Champions welcomed local rivals Northumbria to the Maiden Castle 3G for a titanic clash between North Eastern heavyweights.

In a topsy-turvy game that was filled with tries, after an early 9-3 start in favour of Durham, Northumbria took over the game and were in the ascendency until the last few minutes.

Durham endured one of their worst defensive performances of the last few years, as Northumbria took a 15-9 lead into the half and then preceded to score a further two tries in the second half.

It was only a late charge down from the Durham Captain, Sean Robinson that led to the Champions taking the lead at 30-27.

With the clock winding down the visitors had two penalty attempts on goal to firstly level the scores and then possibly take the lead. However, the Northumbria fly-half could not convert either golden opportunity in the dying minutes, as nerves seemed to get the better.

Durham Head Coach Alex Keay told Talking Rugby Union that it “was an incredibly close game, and I have to say we were disappointing yesterday; but that’s not taking anything away from Northumbria, I thought they were brilliant yesterday.

Durham just about remain top of the league, with an impressive record of five wins from five and a mammoth 22 points.

Elsewhere, Leeds Metropolitan University welcomed second place Newcastle to Yorkshire.

The visitors were undefeated for the first three games of the season, but were beaten for the first time this year by league leaders Durham last week.

In an incredibly high-scoring affair the home side managed to record a commanding 48-22 victory of the North Easterly side.

The result tightened the battle at the top of the table, as Newcastle cling on to the second place spot with 15 points; however, Leeds Met, with a game in hand, are third place, just a point behind.

Finally, there was more action in Leeds as the University side welcomed bottom of the league Nottingham.

Nottingham are nailed to the bottom of the BUCS Northern A league, with four losses from as many games and no points to their name; however, they managed to turn it all around yesterday and record an enormous 29-24 win over the Leeds.

The victory was Nottingham’s first in the league so far this season; however, they still remain in bottom place of the league.

There are only two games in the North A league next week, as Loughborough host Leeds University and Nottingham host Leeds Met. Champions Durham have a week off.

As mentioned, there were no fixtures in the Northern B league this week, so we travel down to the Southern A league, where there was plenty of action.

The shock result of the BUCS University rugby week took place in Exeter, as the home side defeated the previously undefeated league leaders Hartpury in an incredibly close 11-9 encounter.

After losing a high-scoring encounter with Bath last week, Exeter managed to turn things around and record their biggest win of the season over the league leaders.

However, the first defeat was not enough to knock Hartpury off the top spot, as they remain in first position with 21 points to their name and four wins. Exeter sit in third place, joint with Bath in second on 14 points.

Yesterday Bath travelled to Bristol and suffered a surprise defeat after their big win, as mentioned, over Exeter last week.

Bristol emerged 13-3 victors, in another hard-fought, low scoring game of University rugby in the south.

The victory took Bristol to fourth in the league with 13 points, just one less than Bath and Exeter in second and third, respectively.

Finally, in an all Welsh clash Swansea University comprehensively beat Cardiff University by 28 points to none.

However, after their first win of the year, Swansea still stay bottom of the league with just four points. Cardiff are one place ahead with eight points.

Lastly, in the Southern B league, there has been a change at the top of the table, as another previously unbeaten side lost their grip on an undefeated run.

St Mary’s University lost for the first time season, 28-3, away to Cardiff Met seconds in the Welsh capital.
Elsewhere, Bath second team welcomed Cardiff University seconds to England, and we will update you as soon as the scores come in.

In another exciting BUCS Wednesday afternoon, two unbeaten runs were lost in the Southern leagues; however, although it was incredibly close, the reigning Champions Durham managed to do what they do best and record another victory.

Keep an eye on Talking Rugby Union as we will bring you some footage and match reports from yesterday’s University rugby.

Make Talking Rugby Union your home for all things University Rugby!