Unfortunately for university students, the Festive period is over. That exam that was a month away is now starting in less than a week. However, it is not all doom and gloom. The return of university teaching also means the return of university sport, which in turn means the return of BUCS. One of the most popular BUCS sports is rugby union, with the fixtures this week which welcomed it back not disappointing in the slighest. So let Freshered round up the key events of this week’s games, and their subsequent connotations.
If you need a recap of the season so far, or do not understand how the BUCS rugby union leagues work, check out this handy article before reading this one.
Women’s Premier North
Top of the table Loughborough 2’s returned to action after the Christmas break, comfortably ahead in the league boasting a 100% record from seven games so far. Their opponents travelling for the game, Birmingham 1’s, were not in such a good position. They were sitting one place above the bottom spot, with their remaining three fixtures (including this one) against top of the table Loughborough twice, and Glasgow, the team sat bottom. Therefore, this game was of utmost importance to the away side.
Despite the almost necessity for Birmingham to get a result out of this game, it was business as usual for Loughborough, who notched their eight successive win in the league. It was a spirited performance from the away side, who managed to contain their free-scoring opponents to only 15 points. However, their attacking performance did not match their defensive one, only managing two tries. The game ended 15-10 to Loughborough. The result leaves Birmingham in a perlious position. If Glasgow win both their game in hand, and their home tie against the Midlands side, Birmingham could find themselves in the playoff for their place in the Premier North.
Men’s Premier North/South
This week marked the return of the second tier of Men’s BUCS Rugby Union, with the top tier returning next week. However, the quality was still there, with the games providing enough entertainment to sastify even the most passionate rugby fan.
In the Premier South, results saw the team at the top of the table change. Exeter 2’s lost only their second game this season, at home to Hartpury 2’s, by only two points, 28-30. Exeter 3’s took full advantage, claiming three points, and top of the league, following a successful trip to Wales, where they beat Cardiff Met 1’s 21-14. Two points separate these teams in first and second.
In the Premier North, the two fixtures played did not disappoint. Newcastle 1’s dominant 27-5 victory over Durham 2’s saw them claim sole possession of first place. Before the fixtures, both them and Nottingham Trent 1’s shared top spot, both on 41 points. However, Nottingham Trent‘s third defeat of the season, 43-38 to Leeds 1’s in a high-scoring, entertaining match, meant they blinked first in the title race, handing the lead to Newcastle.
Result of the Week
With so many exciting games this week, it was an extremely difficuly decision to name a fixture of the week. However, one game stood out above all else, and is fully deserving of the title.
Therefore, the first result of the week goes to the Men’s Midlands Tier 2B game between Oxford Brookes 1’s and Worcester 1’s. Top of the table Oxford Brookes dominanted from start to finish, with the game ending 89-5. Yes, you read that right. The thrashing ensures Oxford Brookes 100% record in the league continues, with the team scoring an average of just under 50 points a game. Impressive.