2013/14 University Rugby Review - Week 7

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.

This week there was action throughout all of the four Premier Leagues, in both the north and south.

Reigning champions Durham, who are the clear leaders of the North Premier A league with five wins from five, had a week off this week – could the rest of the pack begin to bridge the gap?

It is the Northern A League where we begin, with just two fixtures yesterday.

Firstly, third place Leeds Met Carnegie were on the road to Nottingham, with the aim of making some real headway on league leaders Durham.

The prospect of playing Nottingham – although playing away from home is always difficult – wouldn’t have struck to much fear in the hearts of the Yorkshire side, as Nottingham have struggled all season long.

However, the Midlands side managed to get some point on the board last Wednesday as they recorded their first win of the season, beating the University of Leeds 29-24 away from home. Could they do the Leeds double?

In this case, lightning did strike twice, as the previous stone-cold bottom side of the league continued their surge up the table with a shock 24-22 victory over the Metropolitan side.

The home side got off to a flying start, with two early tries giving them a 14-0 lead as Nottingham carried forward plenty of momentum from last week’s victory.

However, Leeds Met were far from out of the game as they replied in exactly the same way, leaving the scores tied 14-14 at the break.

For the first time Leeds then took the lead with an unconverted try; however, representative of the entire game, Nottingham replied with a try of their own. The extras were added to take the home side two points ahead at 21-19.

In the final moments of the game Leeds took the lead once again with a penalty, but, with just minutes left on the clock, the home side got their chance and took it with open arms, as they dissected the uprights for a final time, to finish the game 24-22 victors.

The Impressive victory takes Nottingham off the bottom of the league and out of the relegation zone as they leap-frog Leeds University into sixth.

On the other hand, a golden opportunity for Leeds Met to climb the league table and try their best to cling onto Durham went begging, as they remain in third place, six points adrift with 16 of their own.

In the second game of the round, Loughborough hosted the University of Leeds, and sent them back to Yorkshire with their tails between their legs after a punishing 46-20 home victory.

The win was Loughborough’s third of the season and it sent them into the second spot on 17 points, just one ahead of both Leeds Met and Newcastle.

However, as mentioned, the University of Leeds have now slumped to the bottom of the Premier A League with just one win to their name and six points.

Next week there are three fixtures, as Leeds Met host Northumbria; Newcastle welcome the University of Leeds to the North East and finally, one plays two, as Loughborough make the tough journey up north to Durham.

In the Northern Premier B league, table leaders Birmingham extended their league at the top of the table with their fifth successive win.

The Midlands side easily dispatched the University of York with a final score of 49-5.

Birmingham now sit a clear five points ahead of second place Nottingham Trent; whilst York slip to seventh in the league in the relegation zone, still with just one win.

Second place Nottingham Trent continued their own impressive season, as they beat Sheffield Hallam University by 24 points to 12. Sheffield still sit in the bottom position of the league with just four points to their name.

Also, in a preview to next week’s Premier A League top of the table clash, Durham University seconds hosted Loughborough university seconds in the North East.

On this occasion it was the visitors who came away from fortress Durham with a win after an incredibly high-scoring game of university rugby. Loughborough emerged eventual 50-44 victors.

However, Loughborough are still having a difficult time of it in the league as they still only sit in fifth with 11 points, four behind Durham in third.

Finally, there was another close game in the league as Manchester University got their season back on track after back-to-back losses, with a tight 25-24 victory over Edinburgh.

Manchester are now fourth a difficult 10 points off the lead and Edinburgh stay in sixth with just one win and eight points.

Over to the southern side of University rugby competition now, and after a shock defeat to league leaders Hartpury last Wednesday, order was restored yesterday as the University of West England returned to winning ways.

In an incredibly dominant performance, Hartpury wanted to make amends for last weeks loss and did just that with a crushing 51-5 drubbing of Bath University.

Bath were also looking for a good result after narrowly losing to Bristol the week before; however, it didn’t come, as Hartpury extended their lead at the top of the table.

They have a mammoth 26 points to their name, seven clear of second place Exeter, who switched places with Bath yesterday after their win.

Exeter recorded their own impressive victory yesterday, with a clinical 39-17 victory over Bristol at the Topsham Sports Ground.

The victory took them to second in the league with 19 points, as the exchanged places with Bath. On the other hand Bristol slipped to fifth with 13 points.

In the all Welsh tie, Swansea University were comprehensively beaten by visitors Cardiff Met, 28-17.

Swansea stay rooted to the bottom of the league with just one win from six attempts. However, the win for Cardiff took them into a good position, just two points behind third place Bath with a game in hand.

Next week there are three games, as league leaders Hartpury welcome Cardiff Met over the border; Bath host bottom place Swansea and Cardiff University host Exeter.

Finally, in the Premier South B league Cardiff University seconds comfortably beat Hartpury seconds by 25 points to 10.

The win takes the Welsh side joint top in the league, on 14 points, with Bath seconds.

Elsewhere, former undefeated leaders, St Mary’s University, beat Reading away from home in a close-fought 27-23 win.

Also, Bath seconds took on Exeter seconds, and the University of South Wales welcomed Cardiff Met seconds. Unfortunately we don’t have those results for you yet, but we will be sure to let you know as soon as they come in.

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