BUCS Super Rugby: Cardiff become 'Clash Kings' as Hartpury stun the champions
Round Three delivered what was undoubtedly one of Cardiff University’s finest ‘Cardiff Clashes’ in a long time.
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From the iconic Cardiff Arms Park to a sold-out Sandy Park, Round Three of BUCS Super Rugby played out in typical fashion.
Cardiff University down Met in style to become kings of Cardiff
In the Welsh capital, the famous 'Cardiff Clash' took centre stage under the lights at the Arms Park, with both sides searching for their first win of the BUCS Super Rugby season.
It was the visitors who started the brighter, with Cardiff Met enjoying early possession and territory through a series of multi-phase attacks that took them into the University 22.
However, an ambitious pass from Met centre Gethin O’Callaghan was picked off by Cardiff University fly-half Llew O’Brien, who raced clear to score an interception try after just seven minutes.
Met struggled to break down a stubborn University defence and were punished when the hosts next entered the opposition 22.
After a series of tight phases, Max Truby produced an excellent offload in contact to put fellow flanker Felix Godet over for Cardiff’s second try. O’Brien added a penalty to extend the home side’s lead to 14-0 after 24 minutes.
But Met responded just minutes later.
A powerful break from Gethyn Hunter through midfield gave the visitors a platform, before Matt Bonds changed the point of attack with a clever grubber kick into space behind the University defence.
Charlie Brook was put under pressure in the backfield, allowing Met to pile in and win a turnover on the five-metre line. Jamie Longyear then powered over to get the Archers on the board, with Bonds adding a penalty to reduce the deficit to seven.
The remaining 13 minutes of the half saw Cardiff University held up over the line, while Met looked to exploit the space behind the defensive line after finding success with their opening try.
Neither side could add to the score, however, and the teams went into the break with the hosts leading 14-7.
Cardiff Met resumed in the same positive fashion, finding a breakthrough through an unlikely source. Tight-head prop Alex Wakefield burst through the middle after an excellent offload from Longyear in contact.
The visitors remained composed, working through the phases before captain Arthur Moore crossed for the try. Bonds converted to level the scores just three minutes into the second half.
However, a dropped restart from Met immediately put them back under pressure. After a sustained spell in the visitors’ half, Cardiff University regained the lead on the 50th minute, once again turning to their driving maul. Owen Popple was the beneficiary, crossing from close range to score the hosts’ fourth maul try of the season.
With 17 minutes remaining, Cardiff University then looked to put the contest beyond reach. Tom Unsworth, who was outstanding throughout, broke into the 22 after taking a flat pass from O’Brien.
Finn Charles then spotted winger Jack Jones with a superb miss-pass, and Jones did brilliantly to ground the ball in the corner despite the efforts of two Met defenders trying to force him into touch. O’Brien missed the conversion, but the hosts had restored their two-try advantage at 26-14.
Met pushed desperately to get back into the contest, but their opportunities came and went over as University continued to hold firm.
With five minutes remaining, Cardiff finally put the result beyond doubt. After building pressure inside the Met 22, Dan Bufferey delivered a cross-field kick that evaded Aaron Molnar and found its way into the arms of Jack Thomas, who crossed for his second try of the season.
Replacement Ethan Jones added a further score to put the finishing touches on a dominant display, sealing a comprehensive 38-14 victory for Cardiff University in what was undoubtedly one of their most impressive Cardiff Clashes in recent memory.
For Cardiff Met and head coach Dai Young, it is a disappointing start to the campaign, with three defeats from their opening three matches. Loughborough are next up as the Archers continue their search for that maiden win.
For Cardiff University, the result marks an encouraging start to the season, with the side sitting sixth in the table. A difficult trip to Brunel awaits next week, providing another test of their credentials, but there are plenty of positive signs.
Hartpury stun champions Bath with late win
After emphatic victories to open the season, the question on everyone's lips was whether anyone could stop Bath.
Hartpury provided a resounding answer, producing a determined comeback before snatching a late 24-21 victory over the reigning champions.
But the afternoon got off to the worst possible start for Hartpury, with early tries from Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi and Tate Williams putting Bath firmly in control inside the opening 10 minutes.
But playing at the 4Ed Stadium, home of their Champ Rugby side, Hartpury were determined to make the occasion count.
Spencer Huntley set the tempo with some sharp distribution, finding hooker Kealen Freeman-Price who ran an excellent line from five metres out before the 20-minute mark. The try reduced the deficit to seven points and gave the hosts a foothold in the contest.
Hartpury then drew level just before the break. Krystof Wood intercepted a pass from Jamie Howick and raced in under the posts, with Math Jones adding the conversion to make it 14-14 at half-time.
The hosts completed the turnaround just five minutes into the second half. Cameron Murray caused problems at the breakdown before number eight Olly Allport picked up and offloaded to Huntley, who in turn released Troy Sullivan. Sullivan finished from just inside the Bath half to give Hartpury the lead for the first time.
Bath refused to go away, however. Ollie Lewis made an important break to take the visitors into the 22, before the champions embarked on a sustained, two-minute spell of multi-phase pressure. Their patience was eventually rewarded when in-form Jack Woods crossed for the try, with James Linegar converting to level the scores at 21-21 with 12 minutes remaining.
Hartpury responded by wrestling back control of the contest. A sustained period of pressure earned them a scrum five metres from the Bath line with just over five minutes left to play.
Dan Bartlett picked up at the base and drove towards the line, but was stopped just short. Bath replacement Connor Treacey was then penalised at the breakdown and sent to the sin bin, handing Hartpury a golden opportunity to take a late lead.
In front of the Hartpury fans, Ethan Patterson stepped up and calmly converted the penalty to put the Gloucestershire side ahead.
Hartpury held their nerve in the closing stages to secure a famous 24-21 victory, making it three wins from three and delivering an early statement of intent in the title race. Durham are next up as they look to maintain their perfect start.
For Bath, it is a shock setback after such an impressive opening to the season. The champions have quality throughout their squad, but they will want to respond next week when they face Exeter in a mouth-watering South West derby.
Exeter turn on the style at Sandy Park
It was a night under the lights at a sold-out Sandy Park as Exeter welcomed Durham, with the visitors arriving determined to make a statement.
It was the side from the north who struck first, with flanker Charlie Heffron crossing inside the opening two minutes to give Durham an early lead.
The home side responded emphatically, however, with two quick tries to seize control. Isaac Godfrey powered over from close range before centre Harrison Hall produced a stunning individual effort, starting and finishing a move to put the Green and Whites ahead.
Durham hit back with a superb team try of their own. Billy Pasco made a powerful break before the ball found its way through to Will Matthews and Will Windows, who produced an excellent offload to full-back Rory Telfer. Telfer crossed to bring the visitors level, with Louie Platt converting to make it 14-14 after 25 minutes.
Then came the Will Lane show. First, the Exeter fly-half landed a penalty to restore the hosts' advantage before producing a brilliant break from inside his own half to lay the foundations for a third try.
After a series of phases following Lane's initial burst, George Newman found Dewi Thomas out wide. Lane then produced a magnificent touchline conversion to cap a devastating five-minute spell for the home side.
Exeter went into the break with a 24-14 lead.
The hosts carried that momentum into the second half, scoring twice in quick succession through Ollie Batson and Harry Derwent in the 48th and 50th minutes. The double blow extended Exeter's advantage to 36-14 and left Durham with a mountain to climb.
Replacement prop Tupeni Ralogaivau crossed four minutes from time to take Exeter beyond 40 points, before Durham grabbed a consolation through Telfer's second try of the evening.
The final score of 43-19 underlined Exeter's attacking quality and growing confidence as they continued their perfect start to the season.
Exeter move to the top of the table with three wins from three and are beginning to look like genuine contenders to Bath's crown. They face a huge test next week when they travel to the champions in what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of Round Four.
For Durham, they are still winless. They will look to respond quickly when they host Hartpury next week.
Brunel make it two from three
A sunny afternoon at Highfields provided the backdrop for the early kick-off, as newcomers Brunel looked to bounce back from a heavy defeat in Round Two.
Nottingham, meanwhile, were searching for their first win of the season and made the perfect start. Winger Will Darbyshire capitalised on a messy kick receipt to race in from inside his own half, giving the hosts an early advantage.
The sides then traded tries, with Brunel crossing twice and Nottingham responding through Julian Nunn. The visitors held a narrow 14-12 lead after 23 minutes.
Brunel began to take control before the break, however, crossing twice to establish some breathing room. A looping pass evaded Darbyshire but found Brunel's Leo Elder, who cantered in from the 10-metre line. Loic Kearsey then finished off a driving-maul effort to give the visitors a 26-14 lead at half-time.
Brunel carried that momentum into the second half, with Darren Low crossing for his second try of the afternoon to extend their advantage.
Nottingham refused to surrender, though. A beautifully executed move back towards the short side allowed Aiden Doeg to cross, before an opportunistic quick-tap try from early-season star Thomas Cunningham brought the hosts back into the contest. At 31-26 after 55 minutes, the deficit was down to just five points.
But Brunel remained composed under pressure and finished the match emphatically. Further scores from Alleyne, Smith and Elder, alongside a penalty, helped the visitors pull clear and secure a convincing 53-26 away victory.
Two wins from their opening three matches represent an encouraging start for Brunel, who are already showing signs of belonging in the top flight. They welcome Cardiff University next week, with another opportunity to build on their promising form.
For Nottingham, it is a worrying start. Three defeats from three is not what they would have hoped for, and while their ability to score points is clear, defensive vulnerabilities continue to cost them.
A home fixture against Leeds Beckett awaits next week, and they will be desperate to get their campaign up and running.
Loughborough thump Leeds Beckett in nine-try mauling
It was a bruising afternoon for Leeds Beckett at the Rubber Crumb, as Loughborough produced a ruthless attacking display to claim a comprehensive 59-10 victory and underline their credentials once again.
The rout was spearheaded by Ralfie Willott, whose hat-trick continued his sensational try-scoring start to the season.
Beckett did manage a response through a moment of real quality. Captain Louie Heard delivered a beautifully weighted cross-field kick to find Diederick Verdaasdonk on the wing, with the latter adding to his tally after scoring against Exeter the previous week.
But Loughborough soon reasserted their dominance, with further tries from Monty Wells and Davy Colbert, the latter scoring with the clock in the red, to give the hosts a commanding 35-5 lead at the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Loughborough continuing to find gaps in the Beckett defence and piling on the points.
Harry Gresswell provided a moment of encouragement for Beckett, but his try did little to slow the hosts' momentum.
Loughborough responded with four further scores, including two from Louis Nancekivell, alongside tries from Nathaniel Robinson and Zac Finch, to complete a nine-try demolition.
For Loughborough, the performance represents another statement of intent after their false start against Bath. Their attacking threat is becoming increasingly difficult to contain, and they will take plenty of confidence into next week's trip to Cardiff Met, where a tougher test awaits.
For Leeds Beckett, they will look to regroup ahead of an intriguing clash with Nottingham, where both sides will be desperate to get their seasons back on track.
