Bath keep pressure on Loughborough after famous win at Exeter
Bath remain just behind Loughborough in the BUCS Super Rugby standings
©BUCS Super Rugby / Ben Lumley
Late penalties proved decisive for Bath (2nd) and Cardiff Met (6th) as they earned hard-fought victories in Round 14 of BUCS Super Rugby.
Exeter 18-20 Bath
A famous southwest showdown between two of the top three sides carried real title implications.
Unlike the 38-35 thriller at the Rec in Round 4 [which was decided by the boot of Exeter's Ben Coen], this clash was low-scoring but no less dramatic.
Noah Fenton, like he did back in October, tore through the Bath defence, but this time was able to finish off his try, adding a second shortly after to put Exeter in control of the opening quarter.
Bath, however, hit back. Tries from Isaac Springer and Will Keylock, either side of half-time, swung momentum in their favour.
A superb offload from Iwan Coyle and a break from Isaac Mears added a third try with 20 minutes remaining. Exeter responded through Albert Dowse’s score, followed by a penalty from Benjy Mills to retake the lead with just over a minute left.
But Bath, showing the resilience of title candidates, forced a late penalty in Exeter’s 22.
James Beverley stepped up to slot the kick to secure a huge win for the Brothers of Bath. This was their first win away at Exeter since a 34-21 success at Topsham back in 2019, and the result leaves them one point behind league leaders Loughborough.
Leeds Beckett 12-53 Loughborough
Loughborough laid down their own marker earlier in the day. A potentially tricky trip to Leeds Beckett (8th) was no problem for them as they comprehensively dispatched the Yorkshire side 53-12.
Cardiff Met 27-26 Durham
Durham (3rd) had an opportunity to strengthen their top-four credentials with a trip to Cyncoed against Cardiff Met (6th). Tries from Will Windows, Keelan Farrell, and BUCS veteran Marcus Rhoades helped the Palatinate build a 19-5 half-time lead.
Cardiff Met, however, responded. Inspired by the boot of Ross McKay and a try from Tom Weekley, the Archers clawed their way back into the game. An improved set piece late on earned them a penalty, which McKay converted to take the lead.
The drama continued as Durham pressed for a late winner. A missed penalty from Louie Platt and stout Cardiff Met defence secured the victory, giving the Archers back-to-back wins against top-four sides.
Cardiff 28-34 Nottingham
More late drama unfolded at Llanrumney Playing Fields, where Cardiff University (9th) came from 19 points behind to briefly lead fifth-placed Nottingham with five minutes remaining.
However, a late penalty from Charlie Cook and a try at the death from Buster Wilkins rescued the away side, earning them a five-point victory and closing the gap to the top four to four points.
Hartpury 48-26 Swansea
Two bonus points reinforced Cardiff’s buffer over relegation-battling Swansea (10th), who faced third-from-bottom Hartpury (7th).
Hartpury gave Swansea little hope though, winning 48-26 and leaving the Welsh side 10 points adrift with just four games remaining.
With the league title, top-four spots, and top-eight qualification still all to play for, the final four rounds of BUCS Super Rugby promise to be a thrilling watch.
Hartpury dominate as Loughborough leapfrog Met in Women's BUCS Super Rugby
In Women's BUCS Super Rugby, Hartpury once again grabbed the headlines with a commanding 59-5 victory over Cardiff University (7th), moving them closer to yet another league championship with three games remaining.
Loughborough leapfrogged current WBSR champions Cardiff Met (3rd) into second place after a thrilling 31-29 win over their top-four rivals Exeter.
With Hartpury out in front on 45 points and with just three matches left, it seems inevitable that they will wrap up another league campaign.
An away fixture at Brunel next Wednesday presents the perfect opportunity for them to secure their crown.
