Preview: USW look to solidify their position in the top four as they host Bath

by Tom Pritchard

Date: Wednesday 7 January 2017 (17:30)

Venue: Sardis Road, Pontypridd

UNIVERSITY of South Wales Men’s 1^st return to Sardis Road, as they host University of Bath Men’s 2^nd looking to close to the gap on the top three sides in the BUCS South A.

 After two consecutive wins against the University of Bristol and the University of Exeter, USW will be hoping to keep their good run going when they play seventh placed University of Bath at Sardis Road.

After a disappointing defeat away to Swansea University at the end of November, Ben Daniels’ side have bounced back with two impressive wins.

USW’s most recent victory, a narrow 20-19 victory against Exeter at the Rubber Crumb was their fourth win in their last five encounters.

Bath on the other hand have tasted defeat four times in their previous five games. They also fell victim to Swansea, losing out 12-24 at Sketty Lane last Wednesday (31 January).

USW, who currently sit fourth in the BUCS South A with 35 points, will be looking to complete a league double over their North Somerset rivals, having recorded a 24-0 at Sulis Club at the beginning of November.

Bath 2^nd were promoted as runners-up in the BUCS South B last season, despite Exeter 3^rd finishing four points ahead of them at the end of the regular season.

USW will be looking to maintain their good record at Sardis Road this season, they’ve won three of the four games that they’ve played at the ‘House of Pain’ this season. Their only defeat was a narrow 19-21 score line against Cardiff University.

A win for USW could see them climb to 3^rd place, should the University of Bristol 1^st fail to get any points at home to Hartpury 2^nd.

A bonus point victory will take USW to within four points of league-leaders Hartpury 2^nd, if the current league-leaders fail to pick up any points away at Bristol.