By Dewi Williams
After 18 rounds of BUCS Super Rugby, this year’s regular season came to a close on Wednesday evening, with Cardiff securing a hard-fought 42-40 win against Exeter. Cardiff find themselves placed eighth in the table at the end of this season with 6 wins and 39 points, and more importantly another chance to compete in the playoffs this year with a quarter final matchup against Bath lined up.
Morale was high following the final whistle at Llanrumney, with head coach Chris Davies “unbelievably chuffed for the players”, emphasising that scoring 42 points against a top 4 team like Exeter was “unbelievable”. Try scorer Mason Archer also described the performance as “amazing all round”, explaining that beating Exeter both home and away this season is “a massive feat”.
Despite the impressive result, Cardiff found themselves 21-0 down at half time. “In the second half we started moving the ball around” said Davies, which countered the physicality of Exeter and gave Cardiff the upper hand. Substitute Harrison James explained how they had a “free licence” to play in the second half. Scoring a try and successful with every conversion, he said “It was really enjoyable playing that second half, all the boys were firing”.
Winger Mason Archer also applauded the team’s performance in the second half. “Fighting back to win 42-40, it shows what we can do as a team” he said. Looking forward to the playoffs, Archer explained how it’s “really exciting to get into the playoffs coming off two amazing wins” in the last two rounds.
Harrison James recognised the challenge that is facing them however, explaining “it’s going to be a difficult task to go to Bath”, who are league champions this season. Nevertheless, Cardiff remain optimistic, with Chris Davies stating that the team are “capable of anything”, highlighting that “its cup rugby, anything can happen on the day.”
Cardiff face Bath away in the Quarter Finals of the BUCS Super Rugby Championship on Wednesday the 25th of March.
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY RUGBY 