BUCS Playoffs: National Vase Quarter Finals and National Trophy Round of 16

The BUCS Playoffs are finally upon us and for a handful of teams the promised land awaits them. This week is the turn of the National Vase, made up of the Premier North/South teams and the National Trophy which involves the Tier 1 teams.

National Vase

Warwick (1) vs Cardiff (4)

Birmingham gets a playoff game! Not for the Lions, but the Wolves host the Cobras in Birmingham this week as the top of the North take on the fourth seed in the South. Warwick comes into the Playoffs with an impressive 7-1 record, being the best defence in the Premier North, conceding only 80 points; the offence has been potent too, with 216 points scored across the season. The Cobras will be happy just to be here, it has been a disappointing season this year (2-6), but playing this weekend means they will be playing Premier South football next season. The game is really in Warwick’s hands, but they need to play like they have all season to make sure of it.

Portsmouth (2) vs NTU (3)

NTU has struggled since Christmas, zero wins in three attempts sees them as the Northern third seed and make the long journey to the south coast where the Destroyers wait for them. Boasting a 5-3 record Portsmouth need to improve if they are to walk away with a win, last time out a tight 12-6 win against the now-relegated Birmingham Lions and a loss to Cardiff, shows the struggles this side has battled this season. If pre-Christmas NTU show up then this will be a close game. Portsmouth do look like the likely favourites in this one but do not be surprised if NTU upset the Destroyers.

SGS (1) vs Newcastle (4)

WOW, SGS, who could have expected them to be this good this season? Oh yeah, everyone. The Pride have shown their strengths this season as the best offensive side in the South and the best defensive record in the entire Prem North and South. Newcastle will be thankful for Liverpool’s coach mix-up last week as it means they now get to stay in the Prem for another season. It has been a difficult season on the field for the Raiders, conceding the most points in the entire division and scoring the second-worst after Liverpool. Oh, and they need to travel nearly 300 miles to Bristol. All signs point to an SGS win and a dominant one at that.

Leeds (2) vs Exeter (3)

This could be the best game of the entire menu. Exeter makes the long trip up to West Yorkshire, where the Gryphons await them. The Demons have impressed this season after wins against two playoff teams, Portsmouth and Cardiff, but Leeds have been lights out on offence, with 284 points scored, the most in the Premier Tier. The Demons will travel in the hope of a win with an eleven-hour round trip facing them; they will need to be on top form to stop a Gryphons offence who have not put a foot wrong all season long.

National Trophy

Northern Bracket

Edinburgh Napier (1) vs Edinburgh (8)

I could easily copy and paste the preview from last week, however, I forgot how to do so, the Knights have looked remarkable this season, 7-0, the best offensive record all year and face their cross-city rivals for a second time this season. The Mavericks’ loss two weeks ago sent them to the eighth seed overall. The Knights were dominant that day, winning 40-22 away, and the Knights are yet to play the Mavericks on home turf, soil, or grass, not sure what surface it is, but the Knights will look to put on a show like last time.

UCLan (4) vs Stirling (5)

Second in the Northern division takes on second in the Scottish division. The Rams have been incredible all season long, one loss against the Northumbria Mustangs away is the only blemish on their resume whilst the Clansmen look to return to the Prem with a 4-2 record. A 44-0 win against Glasgow last time out shows their potential but the Rams could be just that bit too strong for Stirling and see the Preston-based side into the quarterfinals.

Nottingham Green (3) vs Sheffield Hallam (6)

The Warriors come into this game brimming with confidence as they head down the M1 to Nottingham to face the side that they stopped becoming undefeated for the second season in a row. The rivalry between the two sides extends off the field as well as on it and this match will be a feisty affair. The Greens will need to learn from their mistakes from the last game to be able to defeat the Warriors as they did at the start of the season. Hallam on the other hand needs more of what they produced two weeks ago to progress to the next round.

Northumbria (2) vs Leicester (7)

Northumbria have been exceptional this season. Their unstoppable offence, led by a Quarterback in Aaron Aucoin, whose ejection has been rescinded, has been on fire for the last two years. Surrounding him with experienced players on both sides of the ball allows the Mustangs to host the Longhorns with confidence. Leicester’s season has been strange, losing and drawing to relegated sides before beating Hallam twice, who join them in the playoffs, they will need to find consistency to have any chance against a strong Northumbria side.

Southern Bracket

Bournemouth (1) vs Bath (8)

Bournemouth have been incredible this season with a high-powered offence followed by a brick wall of a defence, 310 points scored, only UWE have scored more, and ten points conceded the least by any team in the whole of BUCS. Bath have faced the Bobcat challenge twice this season, losing on both occasions 15-8 at home and 23-2 away. Going back on the road this weekend they will have to find something special and try and stop the Bobcats.

Kent (4) vs Hertfordshire (5)

This could be the best game in the south this weekend as the Falcons host the ex-Prem national finalists Hurricanes. Hertfordshire this season have conceded more (128 compared to 60) but have scored more points than the Falcons (154 to 98). The Falcons will need to lean on their defence to hold off the Hurricanes, who will look to return to the Prem after having some time away. Expect a tight game in this one where the prize is a trip to the winner of Bournemouth vs Bath.

Brunel (2) vs East Anglia (7)

The Brunel Burners have been impressive so far. They found their dominant form last time out that went missing in December and January having beaten Brighton 45-8. They face a Pirates side who will make a journey into London having acquired half as many league points and conceded double the number of points the Burners have. UEA however know how to score, 126 points to be exact, so this game has all the hallmarks to be one that could entertain and surprise us all.

KCL (3) vs Bristol (6)

Bristol have shocked us all by being in the playoffs with a negative point differential. But they deservedly belong following their second-place finish in the South Western division. They face a trip to the Regents, who have done little wrong all season with one loss on their record being the only blemish. 137 points scored and only 36 conceded shows the strengths of the KCL side as they size up the Barracudas ahead of their match-up this weekend.

You can catch our preview also on our podcast which you can find on all podcast platforms and on our YouTube channel: