USW win away at Bath

University of South Wales played University of Bath 2nds away in a BUCs South A league match on Wednesday 8th November.

Following a much needed victory against Exeter 2nds the previous week, USW went into this game in confident mood, picking a squad with three Development Team players on the bench.

Scrum half Jamie Hill got the score board in motion for USW with a quick tap and go from Bath’s five metre line following sustained pressure by the forwards, and darting over the try line. The visitors maintained momentum with swift hands from the forwards and backs combined to send Kris Richards over for his team’s second try of the game. Despite a strong repost from Bath, a great defensive effort by USW held their opponents up on the line on three occasions, preserving a 0pts to 10 interval lead.

The second half carried on the way the first had finished, with huge defensive efforts by all of the USW players keeping Bath scoreless. The Welsh college then regrouped and after two strong carries by the forwards, prop Joe Popple flopped over the top of a ruck to score underneath the posts, the conversion kicked by Jordan Evans.

With seventeen remaining, USW swapped their entire front row, giving first team debuts to Connor Davies and Gavin Clement. With three big scrums setting a platform for USW to attack Jacob La Roche pounced after a loose ball and dotted  down under the post, Jordan Evans again converting to seal an impressive victory for USW by 0pts to 24.

A strong defensive performance by USW, earning a bonus point away win, was a huge boost as they look ahead to their next fixture away to bottom placed team University of West England.