By Tom Pritchard

University of South Wales 1st saw off Cardiff Metropolitan 4th at the USW Sport Park to secure their first in this season’s BUCS Western 3B. But what did we learn from the closely-fought match in Treforest?

Fast start proves crucial to hosts

Gail Calford’s USW side made a quick start to the game. At one point in the first quarter, they led 10-2.

In a second half which saw Met outscore the hosts by 18 goals to 14, the early lead which USW built up proved to be crucial.

The sharp shooting of attackers Megan Jones and Abi Meredith put their side into a position which proved too much for the Archers to overturn.

Archers show willingness to fight back

It would have been easy for the visitors’ heads to go down early on, given the strong start that USW made. However, they showed strong mental resolve to claw their way back into the game after the break.

Their defence tightened up significantly, and they began to move the ball quicker in attack, causing problems for the Treforest-based side.

The fact that they managed to finish the game with a deficit of just three goals is a credit to their fitness levels, as well as the tactics which benefited them in the final two quarters.

Victory provides USW with belief for coming weeks

It would have been something of a disaster had the hosts allowed Met to leave with the win, but they didn’t, and this win should give them no end of confidence for the games to come.

Gail Calford’s side suffered three narrow defeats in their opening league games, and there would have been concerns of a repeat in this game.

The USW attack is a potent one, Megan Jones and Abi Meredith were clinical with their attempts at goal; and if they’re able to replicate this kind of form, more victories could well be on the horizon.