Chaos at Welsh derby overshadows exciting BUCS Super Rugby return
Cardiff v Swansea was abandoned which was a sour end to a pulsating contest
©BUCS Super Rugby/Ben Lumley
After the Christmas break, BUCS Super Rugby resumed on Wednesday, but Swansea University's (10th) clash with Welsh rivals Cardiff (9th) overshadowed the on-field action.
With minutes to go, Cardiff were leading 28-19 at Dunvant RFC when Swansea tried to fashion an opening.
A kick down the line found a Cardiff back field player who was taken out high.
Chaos then ensued as players from both sides clashed, spilling into the Swansea supporters’ section, with drinks thrown from the crowd.
The referee regained control, identifying a Swansea fan who was escorted from the ground. The referee then made the decision to abandon the match in the 78th minute, which was a sour end to a pulsating encounter.
BUCS have since expressed their “sincere disappointment” and announced they have launched an investigation into the incident.
Under BUCS regulations, with more than 75 per cent of the game played, the result was left at 28-19 to Cardiff.
In terms of the game itself, Swansea had edged the early exchanges through the aerial battle, but it was Cardiff who struck first. Tomi Booth’s clever chip found Mason Archer under the posts for a converted score.
Errors dominated the rest of the first half, with Swansea’s strong kicking and maul play eventually paying off.
Freshly capped Dragons hooker Wills Austin scored from a maul, Tal Rees converted to level the scores. Austin struck again after a lineout steal, giving Swansea a 14-7 half-time lead.
Swansea dominated early in the second half, capitalising on Cardiff indiscipline and power in the maul. Austin completed his hat-trick within five minutes to extend the lead to 19-7.
Cardiff responded through Finn Charles, who sniped over from a maul, and Ellis Davies, who finished a counter-attack, with Booth converting both to edge Cardiff 21-19 ahead.
Swansea pressed for a late win, going for tries over kicks at goal, but a misjudged lineout and a crucial knock-on stifled their momentum.
Booth’s long-range kick shifted territory back to Cardiff, who ultimately sealed the game with a series of phases culminating in Elis Bird’s try.
For Swansea, they fell short, somehow gaining no points from a match they dominated for large parts. They now look to be in a daunting position, nine points from safety with five matches to go to save themselves.
Elsewhere, Loughborough (1st) remain top of the pile after collecting a bonus-point 52-22 win over Nottingham (5th) while Bath (2nd) defeated reigning champions Hartpury (8th) 39-26. The Blue and Gold sit level on points with Loughborough.
However, Exeter University (3rd) lost ground as they were edged out 30-28 at Cardiff Met (6th), with full-back Ryan Williams going over for a late converted try.
There was also an eighth win of the season for fourth-placed Durham, who saw off Leeds Beckett (8th) 29-21.
Over in Women's BUCS Super Rugby, Hartpury (1st) continued their perfect record by making it eight wins from eight.
They defeated Edinburgh (6th) 55-12 to extend their lead at the summit to 11 points, with last year's champions Cardiff Met (2nd) falling 43-10 away at Brunel University (5th).
Meanwhile, Exeter University (4th) hammered bottom side Cardiff 81-0.
