Big scorelines, a debut win and a statement from the champions - BUCS Super Rugby is back
Hartpury came out on top against Cardiff in a 99-point thriller
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BUCS Super Rugby returned on Wednesday with all the drama, tries and tribalism that make it such a spectacle.
Hartpury overcome Cardiff in Llanrumney try-fest
A 99-point thriller at Llanrumney, which ended with Hartpury clinching a 56-43 victory.
It took the visitors just two minutes to open the scoring, with impressive phase play creating space for Ollie Wickens on the edge. Spencer Huntley was in support to finish.
Cardiff hit back while Hartpury were temporarily reduced to 14 men, with Isaac Buck and Max Truby crossing before Wickens responded for the away side. From there, the game became a shootout, with two more tries apiece leaving Hartpury narrowly ahead at 28-26.
Cardiff appeared to be gaining momentum early in the second half, with Finn Charles producing a brilliant couple of minutes - first sniping from inside his own 22 to score, then landing a 50/22 to pile on the pressure.
Hartpury weathered it and then turned the tide as Cardiff’s handling and discipline began to let them down. Wickens completed his hat-trick, which was followed by a penalty try and a score from replacement George Alexander to put Hartpury in control with 25 minutes remaining.
Cardiff responded through an Llew O’Brian penalty and a Dan Buffrey try, but a moment of magic ultimately settled it.
Buffrey’s attempted exit from the restart was partially blocked before the ball was shifted to Taite Fortey, who produced a superb overhead pass for Wickens to run onto and score from 35 metres.
Russell-esque.
Cardiff threatened again, but Hartpury held firm to secure a thrilling victory.
Reigning champions Bath lay down a marker
A statement performance from Bath, who dominated Loughborough to win 50-33 at the Yard.
Two classic maul tries from captain Will Keylock and Evan Gallagher gave the champions a 14-0 lead after just 12 minutes. Their set piece already looks like it could be a serious weapon this season.
Loughborough steadied themselves, with Theo Mussell and Keanu Coetsee crossing either side of a Tyler Offiah wonder try to leave Bath 21-14 ahead at half-time.
Then came the onslaught.
Jack Woods provided the spark with a powerful run before linking with Offiah, who scored just a minute after the restart. The floodgates opened, with Offiah completing his hat-trick and Woods adding two more, while debutant flanker Alex Yeabsley also crossed.
Bath had surged into a 50-19 lead by the 66th minute before Loughborough rallied late to secure a try bonus point.
The Brothers have laid down an early marker.
Famous night for brilliant Brunel
It was a big night for Brunel - their BUCS Super Rugby debut at Cyncoed, one of the toughest places to go in university rugby.
The newly promoted side, though, dug in and got the job done, winning 29-20 at Cardiff Met.
Number eight Burn Breschi-Low settled any early nerves by crashing over after four minutes, but Cardiff Met responded with tries from prop Will Pearce and Toby Lock to take control.
Brunel refused to let the game drift away. Adrian Dunne beat three defenders to level the scores before Gethin O’Callaghan restored Met’s lead.
A second Breschi-Low try on the stroke of half-time reduced the deficit to just one point at 20-19.
The second half was more cagey, with errors disrupting the flow. Met then spurned a golden opportunity in the 69th minute, and Brunel made them pay.
Excellent handling from replacements Joe Baccarini and Will Plessis created the opening for captain Joe Smart to score six minutes from time.
Sam Gregory then landed a penalty from outside the 22 to seal a famous victory.
A dream debut for Gareth Rise and Paddy Gill’s side, who announced themselves on the big stage in the best possible way.
For Met, it was a night of missed opportunities - plenty of attacking promise, but not enough reward.
Exeter secure impressive second-half comeback
A game of two halves.
Nottingham were the stronger side before the break, scoring four tries, but Exeter stayed within touching distance thanks to scores from Will Lane and Exeter Chiefs’ Ollie Batson.
The visitors returned after half-time with renewed vigour, particularly from the bench. Replacement Harry Woodman crossed on 50 minutes following an impressive multi-phase attack.
From there, Exeter began to grind Nottingham down.
Joshua Golden-Clarke put them ahead on the hour before turning provider for Henry Derwent 10 minutes later. Rory Ellerby then crossed late to complete a 42-26 away victory.
Beckett hammer Durham
Over at the Cabbage Patch, Leeds Beckett proved some early doubters - myself included - wrong with a thumping 50-28 win over play-off hopefuls Durham.
It was an entertaining first half, with Durham holding a narrow lead at the interval.
Then came the Leeds blitz.
Four tries in 11 minutes midway through the second half saw Leeds pull away and secure the victory.
Quality at the breakdown, a strong maul and a willingness to throw the ball around, Kerry Woods’ side showed the fundamentals of a team that could be difficult to compete with this season.
What to look out for in Round Two?
The champs vs the new boys
It does not get any easier for Brunel, who host the champions in Uxbridge next week.
But they will be buoyed by that five-point victory over Cardiff Met and will be keen to test themselves against the Brothers.
For Bath, this is a tricky one to navigate. Brunel will be right up for it, looking to add another chapter to their history.
Eyes firmly on this one.
Can Beckett back it up?
Leeds Beckett did not enter the season surrounded by huge expectations, but that Durham performance has certainly generated some intrigue.
They welcome fellow Round One winners Exeter to Yorkshire, who will provide a serious test with an electric backline.
For Exeter, it is another opportunity to win on the road and strengthen their early credentials.
Battle of the East Midlands
After a humbling defeat to Bath, Loughborough will be looking to inject some positivity into their season against Nottingham.
Head coach Martin Webdale described his group as “young” but “really hungry”. They showed heart against Bath but can they now show attacking ascendancy over Nottingham?
Paul Westgate’s Nottingham side will know exactly how tough a trip to the Rubber Crumb will be. But after their second-half drop-off against Exeter, the boys in green and gold will be determined to maintain their intensity for longer in Round Two.
Full Round Two Fixtures:
Brunel vs Bath, Durham vs Cardiff, Hartpury vs Cardiff Met. Leeds Beckett vs Exeter, Loughborough vs Nottingham.
