by Jamil Bin-Salih & Sam Hart
UNIVERSITY of South Wales were narrowly edged out by University of Bristol in a frantic BUCS South A League clash.
The first score of the game came from the hosts as Pat Hagerty touched down under the posts in the 22nd minute. Ollie Pell converted to hand Bristol a 7-0 lead.
Five minutes later, USW replied with a score of their own to cut the deficit to 7-3. Cavan Slade kicked a long distance penalty for the visitors to get them on the scoreboard.
USW continued to mount assaults on the Bristol backline as the first half drew to a close and it didn’t take long for the away side to reap the benefits of their pressure.
Joe Popple, the Pontypridd RFC man, touched down in the left corner in the 38th minute after a slick passing move from University of South Wales to complete the turnaround as the scoreline now stood at 7-10.
There was, however, cause for concern for USW, as star player Bryn Goodall picked up a knock following a heavy challenge and was subsequently substituted for Kyle Evans as the half came to its conclusion.
The second half began with a Bristol try following a scrum next to the tryline. From the scum they were able to push the ball over the line to make the score 19-8 with Ollie Pell successfully kicking the conversion.
In the 58th minute Rhodri Smith touched down in the left-hand corner for USW to reduce the deficit to 19-13 after Cavan Slade missed the conversion.
Around 5 minute later Bristol hit back after Ollie Lyons’ surging run through the USW defence which began in his own half and ended in the bottom right hand corner to make the score 24-13.
USW scored once more time late on to make the score 24-20, which provided an entertaining game for spectators however it was Bristol who came out on top on the afternoon.
Star player: Joe Popple
USW: 1. Connor Lewis, 2. Will Haly, 3. Joe Popple, 4. Alex Meeson, 5. Ross Barnes, 6. Sam Tiley, 7. Thomas Jevons, 8. C Gareth Jones, 9. Harry Rumens, 10. Cavan Slade, 11. Marcus Jones, 12. Bryn Goodall, 13. Jack Shaddick, 14.Rhodri Smith, 15. Foard Cooksley
Replacements: 16. T. Stacey, 17. C. Barry, 18. J. Pritchard, 19. C. Taylor, 20. K Evans, 21. G. Workman, 22. J. Vickers, 23. B. Clarke
