BUCS Round-Up: Leeds Beckett begin with a victory while Exeter and Bath both secure wins

The BUCS season is now in full swing with every team now having played their first games of the 15/16 campaign.

There was no slip up for current league and cup holders Leeds Beckett who began with victory, while Exeter and Bath both secured victories in Premier South A.

Bishop’s Burton edged out Nottingham Trent in Premier North B, but both Sheffield and Liverpool 1sts surprisingly suffered losses in Northern 1A.

Elsewhere, there were opening wins for Manchester , Keele and UCLan. Here is round-up from our selected teams across the BUCS league

Premier North A

Newcastle University 15-10 Leeds University

Newcastle University are the early front runners in Premier North A as they made it two wins from two with this latest victory against Leeds University.

After beating local rivals Northumbria last week, they backed it up with their first home triumph of the season against a Leeds side who were beaten in Leeds Varsity last week. This was Newcastle’s third straight win over Leeds.

Leeds Beckett 32-20 Northumbria

Current Premier North A champions Leeds Beckett got the defence of their title underway with a bonus point win over Northumbria.

Two tries from Olly Hutson, a Penalty Try and a score from Ben Rawinsky helped Beckett to victory against a battling Northumbria side who were well in this game throughout.

Beckett’s superior fitness and control seemed to be the key difference as Northumbria let the game slip away from them in the final quarter of the match.

The hosts have now won 13 of their last 15 games in all competitions and have not lost to Northumbria in their last four matches.

University of Nottingham 8-38 Durham University

Durham University picked up their first win of the Premier North A season by scoring five tries in a comfortable victory over the University of Nottingham.

Durham were edged out by Champions Trophy finalists Loughborough last week, but controlled this game in the Midlands from the first whistle. This wasn’t the start Nottingham had in mind and may well be in for another tough season after finishing sixth last campaign.

This was Durham’s first win in five matches in all competitions, but their seventh victory in a row over Nottingham.

Premier South A

University of Bristol 3-33 University of Exeter

After beginning their BUCS season with two straight wins, the University of Bristol were brought back down to earth as they were comprehensively beaten by current Premier South A champions the University of Exeter.

The visitors were 3-19 up at half-time and went on to score 14 unanswered points in the second period to secure their second win of the season.

This was the second week in a row Exeter have score 30 points or more and have certainly made the perfect start as they aim to be back, fighting for  place at Twickenham come March.

Exeter have now won nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions and have being victorious on six of the last seven occasions against Bristol.

Cardiff University 7-32 Bath University

Cardiff’s season opener ended in defeat as Bath University sealed their first win of the campaign in Wales.

The away side led 0-18 at the break after they were disciplined in defence and kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Tom Boot got the hosts’ only try of the game on the hour mark, but game was pretty much done and dusted by then as Bath secured their first victory in six matches. This was also Bath’s seventh win in nine recent meetings against Cardiff.

Cardiff Met University 61- 3 University of South Wales

After a thumping defeat to Exeter last week, Cardiff Met University responded in fine fashion as they thrashed the University of South Wales.

Cardiff Met scored 44 points in the last game between the teams back in December 2012, but this was a sensational win for the hosts who won the BUCS Vase trophy last  season as they finished fifth in the table.

Premier North B

Nottingham Trent University 20-21 Bishop’s Burton College

Current Premier North B holders, Bishop’s Burton College narrowly edged out Nottingham Trent University yesterday as both sides have sights on promotion this season.

College lost out on promotion to Premier North A in the play-off against Leeds University last term, but got off the mark this season with an excellent victory in Nottingham which really signals their intent for this season.

Trent have now lost four of their last six matches and were unable to back up their opening week victory against Worcester 1sts.

University of Manchester 24-23 University of Worcester

There was also a one point margin of victory for the University of Manchester who picked up their first win in three league matches.

After winning their Varsity last week, this was a great start to the season for them, but survived a late scare as Worcester missed a last minute penalty.

In the other fixtures in Premier North B, Durham University 2nds won away at the University of St Andrews, while Loughborough University 2nds beat the University of Birmingham 1sts 47-3 at home.

Northern 1A

Manchester Met University 21-16 University of Liverpool

The University of Liverpool were stunned by newly promoted Manchester Met as the hosts secured their first victory of the campaign.

Liverpool led 13-7 thanks to tries from Jake Sheldrake and Iain Brady, but Manchester Met came back to seal their maiden victory since lifting the Northern 2A title.

Man Met have now won their last six games at home while Liverpool have now lost two of their last six in all competitions.

University of Hull 31-21 University of Sheffield

Northern 1A holders the University of Sheffield lost only their third league game in 16 matches as the University of Hull clinched their second bonus point of the season, but their first win of this campaign.

The home side led 21-7 at half-time, but were pegged back to 21-21 before the hour mark, but Hull found that extra edge after good thinking from Robbie Davidson set up their final try of the afternoon to help them to victory.

Elsewhere in Northern 1A there was a 37-17 win for Newcastle University 2nds over Leeds Beckett 2nds and Durham University’s powerful scrum was the key in their 31-11 win against the University of York 1sts.

Northern 2A

Keele University 31-7 University of Liverpool 2nds

Keele University were in the shadow of Manchester Met last season as they finished in second place -  14 points behind MMU, but got their new season up and running with a good win over Liverpool 2nds.

The home side won this fixture 30-24 in November of last year and have started this season in the right fashion if they are going to challenge for promotion once again.

UCLan 56-0 Edge Hill University

UCLan ended the season in good form last term and exploded into life to open their new campaign as they demolished Edge Hill 56-0 in a superb attacking performance.

The home side won three of their last five games at the back end of the previous season and finished seven points clear of Edge Hill.

However for Edge Hill, this was the worst possible start as they have now won just one of their last eight league matches.

Midlands 2A

University of Nottingham 4ths 0-5 Nottingham Trent University 2nds

Nottingham Trent 2nds got their new season underway with a gritty victory over near neighbours Nottingham 4ths.

Stacy Wright got the only try of the match as Trent go in search of promotion after finishing second last season. They have also now won eight of their last 11 league matches.

 

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