Bath create history by securing first-ever BUCS Super Rugby league title
Bath have become BSR league champions for the first time in the competition’s 10-year history
©Ben Lumley / BUCS Super Rugby
After last Wednesday's key victory over Loughborough, it was always going to be a test of nerve for Bath as they chased their first BUCS Super Rugby title.
This week, they faced a tough away fixture against a strong Durham (5th) side who were targeting a top-four finish.
Freddy Rossingneux calmed any early tension for Bath in the seventh minute when last week’s hero Harry Walker found space on the wing and kicked ahead.
The ball bounced fortuitously into Rossingneux’s hands, and he went under the posts for the opening score of the match.
It was a cagey affair, with both sides contesting fiercely at the lineout. Durham squandered chances as handling errors and resolute Bath defence halted their progress.
With the kicking battle fairly even, Durham looked to exploit space, but Rossingneux covered well.
Though initially shackled by Durham defenders, the diminutive livewire managed to break free and link up with back-three partner Rocky Prowse, who cantered in to score Bath’s second try just before the 30-minute mark.
Beverley added the extras, leaving Bath 14-0 ahead at the interval.
The second half started cautiously, but Durham began to gain the upper hand through their scrum. From a strong platform, Louie Platt drew in the Bath defence before releasing replacement Aaron Pope through a gap as Durham piled on the pressure.
After several penalties and resets, Durham eventually powered over the line, with hooker Louis Inman grounding the ball to put the Palatinates back in contention on the 54-minute mark. Platt’s conversion made it 14-7.
However, a messy kick receipt soon put Durham back under pressure, with Platt only able to find the 22-metre line.
Bath capitalised, with Iwan Coyle making a powerful carry from a solid lineout, providing a platform. A Durham infringement at the breakdown allowed Beverley to extend Bath’s lead beyond a single score, taking the score to 17-7.
From there, Bath managed the game expertly, absorbing pressure and forcing key turnovers. Lock Isaac Sprenger in the 63rd minute and flanker Iwan Coyle in the 75th minute kept Durham at bay.
The Brothers of Bath held out to win 17-7, securing a historic first BUCS Super Rugby league title for the university.
“The heart we showed, the way we dug deep, that shows what we are about as a team,” said player of the match Freddy Rossingneux.
“It’s been a long time. This is a massive reward for so many people, a reward for the club,” added an emotional Aaron James, who has been Head Coach of the university’s rugby team for nearly 17 years.
Elsewhere, challengers Loughborough (2nd) racked up 12 tries against relegated Swansea (10th) in a thumping 80-33 win.
Kit Temperley scored four tries as the African Violet ran riot. Despite finishing second, the former champions will enter the BUCS Milk Championship with confidence.
Third-placed Exeter, however, surrendered a 21-point half-time lead away to Cardiff (8th), who scored six tries in a thrilling 42-40 comeback win.
The Cardiff backline, in full flow, saw Charlie Brook, Lloyd McEwan-Peters, Mason Archer, Harrison James, and Jack Thomas all cross for tries, completing the double over their Devon counterparts.
This victory - alongside last week's 41-40 triumph over table rivals Leeds Beckett - secured Cardiff a play-off spot in the BUCS Milk Championship, where they will face newly crowned champions Bath.
At Cyncoed, Hartpury (7th) staged a second-half comeback against Cardiff Met (6th) to seal a 27-26 win.
Powerful close-range finishes from Carn Richards Farr and Jack Gilbert brought them within striking distance, and a 79th-minute penalty from Taite Fortey sealed the victory. With four wins in their last five games, Hartpury will travel to Loughborough for the quarter-finals.
And Nottingham (4th) secured a top-four finish with a bonus-point 28-19 win against Leeds Beckett (9th).
After leapfrogging Durham to seal a home quarter-final, they will now host the Palatinates in two weeks time when the BUCS Milk Championship begins.
BUCS Milk Championship Play-Offs Fixtures
Quarter-Finals - 25/03/2026
Bath (1) vs Cardiff (8)
Loughborough (2) vs Hartpury (7)
Exeter (3) vs Cardiff Met (6)
Nottingham (4) vs Durham (5)
Semi-Finals - 08/04/2026
Winner Bath/Cardiff vs Winner Nottingham/Durham
Winner Loughborough/Hartpury vs Winner Exeter/Cardiff Met
Men's BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championship Final at Rodney Parade - 22/04/2026
