2014/15 BUCS Review, Round 5: Preview

Last week we saw wins for Bath, Newcastle, Leeds Beckett and UCLAN with tomorrow severing up more great encounters across the BUCS leagues. Talking Rugby Union looks ahead to the best of the action.

Premier South A

Bath made it two wins from as many games last week as they fought off the challenge from Cardiff University winning 24-15 at Sulis Club. Tomorrow they host Cardiff’s second university – Cardiff Metropolitan - as they look to close the gap on leaders Exeter.

Exeter weren’t in action last week and maybe didn’t need the break as they currently sit top of Premier South A having won four from four. They travel to Cardiff tomorrow looking to keep up their 100 per cent start and Exeter’s Freddie Gabbitas feels his team is moving in the right direction.

He said: “Things have been going well for us thus far – defensively we are very solid and our handling of the ball at times has been fantastic.  There are obviously things to work on, but I feel that the team is in a good place going forward.

“Cardiff away is notoriously difficult. Their scrum is strong so we must make sure we match that, but I am confident if we stick to our game plan we will get a positive result.”

Third place Hartpury College are trying to keep up with Exeter and Bath as they head into tomorrow’s game with the University of Bristol. Hartpury are currently three points behind Bath and Alex Brown says his side is full of confidence.

“We have had a tough start to the season with a couple of narrow losses, however the defensive display we showed against Cardiff to get the bonus point last time out was outstanding. We are now full of confidence and keen to improve throughout the season.

Bristol will be a decent outfit judging by their tight games against Cardiff and Exeter. Coming off last week’s win and with the home crowd behind us, we are confident going into the game tomorrow night.”

Premier North A

League leaders Leeds Beckett University dispatched Northumbria University 15-43 in the North East last week to keep up their 100 per cent record this season. They moved level on points with Northumbria and also having two games in hand over them. Leeds Beckett take on Durham University tomorrow.

The last time the pair met was December 2013 and Leeds Beckett won 44-26 so Durham will not want a repeat of that. They were stunned by Loughborough at home 16-17 last week so will be hoping to return to winning ways as soon as possible. The TRU cameras will be pitch side tomorrow for this big game.

Tomorrow in Premier North A is derby day on Tyneside as Newcastle University lock horns with Northumbria. Newcastle are currently playing with confidence after back to back wins, but know tomorrow will be a tough game. The last time the two met it ended 10-10.

Finally in this division is Leeds University. They were beaten 16-22 by Newcastle last week and have only won once all season. It’s a bottom of the table clash for them tomorrow as they take the trip to Nottingham University

Premier North B

Nottingham Trent weren’t in action last week, but continue their title defense tomorrow as they host Bishop Burton College. Trent are unbeaten this season and will look to move away from 3rd placed Bishop Burton College who got promoted last season.  

Manchester University have had the definition of a mixed start to the season so far – one win, one draw, and one defeat. They will be brimming with confidence heading into tomorrow’s game with Edinburgh after beating the University of Nottingham 2nds in the cup last week. As for Edinburgh they sit 6th in the league with one win to their name.

Northern 1A

On to Northern 1A, and we look at the University of Liverpool who are back in league action this week after being beaten 22-29 by Loughborough 3rds in the cup six days ago. In terms of the league, Liverpool have won two and lost one so far this season and will be hoping to put their cup exit behind them as they travel to the University of Leeds 2nds tomorrow.

Northern 2A

Currently the form side in the division, Manchester Met return to BUCS action tomorrow after a week off. Having won two from two they welcome city rivals the University of Manchester 2nds. Manchester 2nds lost their only other away game to Edge Hill on the opening day of the season, but they did win 11-8 the last time these local competitors met.

UCLAN aren’t in action this week but, put their tough start to the campaign behind them last time out as they came away from Liverpool 2nds with 8-24 win. That result moved them up to third in the league now only two points behind Manchester Met in this tight division.

Edge Hill are back playing rugby after a week off and will be looking to leapfrog UCLAN with a victory tomorrow over Liverpool 2nds at Wyncote Sports Ground tomorrow. Last time the two sides met on Merseyside it was the hosts that ran out 32-14 winners back in March.