Hartpury v Cardiff Met – 11/04/2018
Tonight, Cardiff Met will take on Hartpury at Twickenum Stadium, as both teams do battle to be crowned BUCS Super Rugby Champions, in a game that everybody has been waiting for.
Having finished their maiden BUCS Super Rugby season in a respectable seventh placed position, the university has built upon the foundations of the last campaign to secure a place in this year’s final – with the Welsh team hoping to cause an upset at the home of English rugby.
Getting here hasn’t been plain sailing for Cardiff Met, with Cardiff Met Director of Rugby Danny Milton speaking to BUCS:
“We were really disappointed with our performance in the quarter-final against Loughborough. We didn’t think we had done ourselves justice. We just about got over the line.
“After Bath’s great performance against Northumbria last week, we knew we had to be at our best. I am really proud of the boys. It was one of those nights where the ball stuck and we played some really good stuff.
The Archers have delivered a sustained number of high quality performances across the season, as a combination of discipline, endeavour and immense technical ability has seen them put together a run of form that has included just two defeats in their last 10 matches.
Their fine run of form proved enough to secure a third placed finish in the league table, with the side bringing this winning mentality into the play-offs as a gritty display saw them edge out Loughborough in a tight 10-5 win.
Whilst the quarter-final performance was reflective of a side capable of grinding out a result, their semi-final victory over Northumbria University highlighted a team that is as equally adept at playing free-flowing rugby as it is at showing its mettle – delivering a scintillating away performance to blow away their hosts in a stunning 55-21 rout.
With a trip to Twickenham stadium now on the cards, the Cardiff Met players and staff will be eyeing up the opportunity to match the exploits of the university’s football team by securing the prestigious BUCS title this evening.
Danny Milton continued: “We have worked really hard this year and it is credit to the stuff Chris Davey has done here over the last 15 years. We have continued to develop and now we are really excited by the challenge of facing Hartpury who put 40 points on Exeter which is a bit scary!
“Since Christmas, Hartpury have certainly turned a corner and they have a fantastic rugby programme down there. However, I don’t think anyone would have expected such a comprehensive result against Exeter in the semi-finals. I was expecting more of a ding-dong battle and I wasn’t too sure who would come out on top, but as it is, Hartpury put in a fantastic performance.
“It would mean a huge amount and be fantastic for this group of players to win on Wednesday and we are looking forward to a great day for our rugby programme.”
Boasting a team of players that have shown a willingness across the entirety of the season to apply every inch of their substantial talent to arrive at this moment, the likes of Chris Davey and Danny Milton will be dreaming of securing a champions medal that their five years of dedication to the club would rightfully deserve.
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