Head coach Alan Flowers saw his side complete the double over Hartpury College with a 38-32 win at the Alpas Stadium on Wednesday night. They had secured a bonus point by half-time and held on to move into sixth place in the table with a game to go.
That was enough to earn them a last eight trip to Cyncoed after the Archers beat second placed Exeter University 36-14. The home side raced into a 33-0 lead with five first-half tries before adding a sixth in the second half.
“It was probably the best first half performance we’ve had this season and we have got to where we wanted to be by securing a home quarter-final,” said Cardiff Met director of rugby, Danny Milton.
“I’m sure Cardiff Uni will be looking to put right some of the missed opportunities they had against us when we met earlier in the season. It is going to be a big game and a massive occasion for student rugby in Cardiff.”
Cardiff Uni were beaten 26-23 at the Arms Park in the first meeting between the two sides, while there was only one point in it, 27-26, at Cyncoed.
Swansea University are also through to the last eight thanks to a battling 19-15 win over Bath at St Helen’s. They were forced to come from behind in the second half to make it six wins on the bounce and set-up a quarter-final clash at Loughborough with a 19-15 victory.
They still have to fit in a home game against Leeds Beckett, as do Cardiff Uni, before they play their quarter-final fixture, but confidence will be sky high after they beat Loughborough 18-14 at home in Round 17. They were beaten 57-30 in the away fixture in January.
BUCS Super Rugby Quarter-Finals – 23 March
Durham v Bath or Leeds Beckett
Exeter v Hartpury
Cardiff Met v Cardiff Uni
Loughborough v Swansea
Semi-Finals – 30 March
Durham / Bath / Leeds Beckett v Loughborough / Swansea
Exeter / Hartpury v Cardiff Met / Cardiff Uni
Final – 13 April
Sixways Stadium, Worcester
