With three league games to go before the decisive play-off rounds to decide who wins the title, Cardiff Met need to pick up points with six teams battling it out for home advantage in the quarter-finals.
They head to the home of reigning champions Exeter University for the first of their final three assignments before hosting Leeds Beckett and then finishing off at arch-rivals Loughborough.
“We feel we can go three from three to end the league campaign on a high, although we know how tough that will be. Exeter’s performance against us at home was one of the best I’ve ever seen from a BUCS team,” said director of rugby, Danny Milton.
“We suffered from a poor run into December without securing a win in five games, but we’ve picked up since then. We lost to Hartpury, 22-20, last time out, but that’s our only defeat in the last seven.
“It has been a little bit harder for us this season prioritising a top four finish in the Championship to ensure a place in the Premiership, as well as Super Rugby. That’s not trying to make excuses, but it has been important to secure the highest level of rugby as we can for next season at all levels.”
Having been beaten by title chasing Bargoed in the battle of the top-two the previous weekend in Championship East, the students returned to winning ways with their 40-6 home win over Penallta. First half tries from outside centre Gus Patterson, wing Henry Kirwan and flanker Josh Hart helped the Archers into a 21-6 lead at the break, with Dutch international outside half Vikas Meijer converting them all.
No8 Ewan Guy, Tom Mclean and Osian Hill added further tries in the second half, two more of which were converted Meijer. The result saw Met go six points clear of Bargoed, who were not in action, at the top but having now played three games more.
