2013/14 University Rugby Review - Week 8

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, yet again university rugby fans were treated to another enthralling round of rugby in both the North and the South.

The day’s biggest fixture came in the Northern Premier A league as one played two – Durham welcomed Loughborough, in a top of the table clash.

However, things did not go to plan (for once) for the men in purple, the undefeated, clear league leaders slumped to their first loss in over 40 games.

The home side took the lead first with an early try, but it was Loughborough who emerged eventual victors with a 13 points to 5 final score.

The win did not affect the positing of the two sides in the league; however, it has really heated up the battle, as Loughborough are now right on Durham’s tail, just one point behind.

Durham picked the ball up from the base of a scrum, just five metres short of the line, and eventually managed to work their way over in the corner for the opening score. The try was not converted but the home side took an early 5-0 lead.

Soon, in reply, a strong driving maul from Loughborough leads to an offside penalty. The kick was good, and Loughborough made their way onto the score sheet. 5-3.

Just minutes later another impressive driving maul from the Loughborough pack worked well, as it the visitors went all the way over the line. The conversion was missed, but the damage was done. Loughborough took the 8-3 lead in to the break.

The second half began how the first had ended – a war of attrition. Both packs were grinding territory out of each other, as the team were locked in stalemate.

Durham had their chances close to the visitor’s line, but Loughborough’s defence was impressive and stayed strong.

Finally, with not long left on the clock, the breakthrough came as Loughborough kicked the ball through into the depths of the Durham defence. The ball caused plenty of problems in the North Easterner’s backfield, and the game’s final try came.

Loughborough returned to the Midlands victorious.

Elsewhere in the league, there were two other highly competitive games around the region.

Firstly, Northumbria University managed to sneak past Leeds Met University, in Yorkshire, by 22 points to 21.

After losing to Durham two weeks ago by the smallest of margins, Northumbria built on that good performance and recorded their second win of the season. The North Eastern side moved to fifth in the league with 14 points; however, luckily, Leeds Met have managed to hold onto third position, as they stay one point ahead of Newcastle.

Finally, Newcastle were in action at home, as they welcomed the other Leeds side to the North East. Leeds, who were bottom of the league, managed to pull off another surprise result, as they blew past Newcastle 20-8.

The win took them from the bottom of the league and out of the relegation zone; leapfrogging Nottingham, who didn’t play this week.

Next Wednesday Nottingham host leaders Durham, Newcastle host Loughborough and Northumbria travel to the University of Leeds.

In the Northern Premier B league, there was an equally shocking result, as the previously undefeated league leaders, Birmingham, also suffered their first loss of the season – losing 22-20 away from home to Sheffield Hallam.

Though, the Midlands side still manage to retain their position at the top of the table; just one point clear of Nottingham Trent, who beat the University of York 40-24.

Also, Loughborough seconds drew with Manchester University 27-all and Edinburgh beat Durham seconds 31-17.

 

In the Southern Premier A league Hartpury continued their return to form – after losing for the first time to Exeter two weeks ago – with a 30-5 victory over Cardiff Met University.

The English side extended their lead at the top of the Southern Anglo-Welsh league, as seven points now lie between them and Exeter.

The second place side recorded an incredible 53-18 hammering over the Cardiff University side, to solidify their right for second place in the league. Cardiff stays in sixth place, still with just one win to their name.

Finally, Bath beat Swansea University by 21 points to 16. Swansea stay bottom of the league and Bath are still in the hunt in third place, just three points behind Exeter.

Lastly in the Southern B league, Cardiff Met seconds finished the round in the top spot after a 43-10 victory over local rivals Cardiff University seconds.

Also, the University of South Wales beat Hartpury seconds 21-11 and Exeter seconds beat Reading University 23-13.

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