2013/2014 University Rugby Preview - Week 10

It’s that time of the week again rugby fans – BUCS Wednesday – as both men and women prepare for another action-packed day of University Rugby.

Two weeks on from one of the competition’s biggest upsets, with Durham losing for the first time in over 40 league games to Loughborough, things are looking slightly different in the Northern Premier A League.

The reigning Champions looked to be runaway table toppers since the start of the season; however, an incredibly impressive 13-5 victory away from home for Loughborough has eventually pulled the side from the North East well within reach.

Durham still rest at the summit of the table with 27 points and just one loss, but Loughborough, after losing twice early on in the season, have returned to winning ways in emphatic style, now just one point behind with 26 points.

Today’s fixtures should draw much more clarity on the title race and possibly set the two sides even further away from the rest of the pack.

Today Durham are at home once again after recording a comfortable win away at Nottingham last week.

The men in purple travelled to the league’s bottom side and eased through to an impressive 37-10 away victory, as the visitors looked to let the rest of the league know that they are still the team to beat.

Today Durham welcome the University of Leeds to the North East. Leeds are coming off the back of a 28-18 defeat to Northumbria last week and sit sixth in the league, just one point above Nottingham and the relegation zone.

Elsewhere, Nottingham will see today’s fixture as a chance to move away from the relegation zone. However, not only do they need Leeds to lose, but they face the difficult prospect of an away trip to Northumbria University. Northumbria are third in the league, but 7 points adrift of Loughborough in second.

The second place side from the Midlands will look to keep as much pressure on Durham as possible, when they take on Leeds Met at Epinal Way.

With two wins on the trot Loughborough will be full of confidence, particularly against Leeds Met who were off last week and lost in a sure to be demoralising 22-21 defeat to Northumbria.

There is a lot up for grabs in the North Premier A League this week – it’s sure to be a great day of University Rugby.

In the second tier of the Northern BUCS rugby competition, after a week without fixtures, all teams return to action today.

The formerly undefeated league leaders Birmingham are now just one point clear of Nottingham Trent at the top of the table.

Today the two sides battle it out in Birmingham, a Midlands derby, for the all-important top spot. Trent convincingly swept aside York two weeks ago with a 40-24 victory; however, Birmingham will be low on confidence after losing for the first time to Sheffield Hallam by 22 points to 20.

Elsewhere, Loughborough seconds travel to the University of Edinburgh. Both sides are locked in a middle table battle, in fifth and sixth place, respectively.

Durham seconds, who are third in the table – seven points off the lead – welcome fourth place Manchester, who are just a point behind, to the North East.

Finally, in the relegation clash, bottom place Sheffield Hallam welcome York in an all-Yorkshire derby.

In the Southern half of the competition this week league leaders Hartpury are an impressive five points clear of Exeter in second; however, the University of West England have already played eight fixtures and, therefore, are withdrawn to the side-lines this week.

Attempting to bridge the gap to the top of the table today is Exeter. The English side travel over the border to Cardiff Met University, in search of success and the league lead.

Exeter will be in high spirits after recording two impressive back-to-back victories, beating Cardiff University 53-18 and then Swansea 31-5 last Wednesday.

On the other hand, the Welsh side also enjoyed a solid win last week when they beat Bristol 23-5. The two sides meet in the Welsh capital today and it’s sure to be another great game of University rugby.

Third place Bath – still an incredible 14 points off the lead – welcome sixth place Cardiff University. Also, bottom of the league Swansea, still with just one win to their name, host fifth place Bristol University in South Wales today.

In the second tier of the Southern competition all eight teams are in action today.

Top of the league Bath seconds travel to sixth place Reading; Cardiff Met seconds welcome bottom of the league Hartpury seconds; Exeter seconds host St Mary’s and finally, Cardiff University seconds host the University of South Wales in an all-Welsh clash.

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