Preview: University of South Wales Men’s 1st v University of Exeter Men’s 2nd

By Tom Pritchard

 

Date: Wednesday 31 January 2017 (14:00)

 

Venue: Topsham Sport Ground, Exeter

 

THE University of South Wales Men’s 1^st make the journey to Exeter on Wednesday in what is their first game back after the Christmas break.

 

Ben Daniels’ team headed into Christmas in fourth place in the BUCS South A table, on 31 points, ten points behind current league leaders Cardiff University.

 

USW head into the game with confidence, having beaten University of Bristol 1^st 31-5 at Sardis Road in December.

 

Exeter will also fancy their chances, having recorded a impressive victory of their own away at Bristol last Wednesday, by 13 points to 10.

 

A win for USW will complete a league double over ‘Ex, having edged a narrow encounter 21-17 at the beginning of November at Pontypridd’s Sardis Road.

 

USW have had the better of tomorrow’s opponents of late, coming out victorious in the last three encounters.

Last season, the Treforest-based side beat Exeter 15-12 at the Sport Park, and 27-19 at Topsham Sport Ground.

 

Both teams would go on to have disappointing seasons, USW finishing 6^th, and Exeter 7^th, one place above the relegation spot.

 

University of South Wales have been able to find some consistency in recent games, winning four of their last five encounters.

 

By comparison, Exeter have won two of their previous five games.

 

However, two impressive victories in their last two games against Swansea and Bristol would suggest that they are coming into some form ahead of tomorrow’s game.