BUCS Week 10 Preview: Premier National is back

Photo: Calum McClenaghan

BUCS Week 10 presents us with the return of the Premier National League where the top two look to continue their unbeaten run. Promotion and relegation could be confirmed for many teams across the country as we look ahead to this weekend’s action.

Premier National

UWE vs Leeds Beckett

Another blowout for the Bullets is on the cards here as they face a Leeds Beckett side who lost the reverse fixture 104-0. If the Bullets want to be the number one seed, they need a big win here, but most importantly, they need to concede as few points as possible. Leeds will need to make it difficult for the Bullets by setting their own developmental objectives if they want to improve before the relegation or cause a shock sometime this regular season.

Nottingham Gold vs Durham

The Gold returns after Christmas at the top spot in BUCS. The problem with being top is everyone is targeting you and the Saints will travel down the A1(M) to look at making the Gold lose for the first time this season. The Gold will be diving into their large pool of players as the Green’s game against the Hull Sharks has been cancelled. The Gold, much like the Bullets, need to win and concede a little as possible to keep the slim margins at the top in their favour.

Premier North

Newcastle vs NTU

NTU look to win this week as they travel to Newcastle to face the Raiders and bounce back after last week's loss against the Wolves. The Renegades have already qualified for the playoffs whilst a Newcastle win could see them secure a playoff spot after a disappointing season.

Premier South

Birmingham vs SGS

SGS will travel to Birmingham sitting top of the Prem South and face bottom side Birmingham who after the loss to the Demons last week now stare relegation in the face and a loss against the Pride could make the ex-national champions start looking at Tier 1 for next season. The Pride who have already received a playoff berth will look to go from strength to strength against a side they can certainly flex their muscles against.

Exeter vs Portsmouth

Second vs third in the Prem South after an impressive run for the Demons with three victories in a row sees them host the Destroyers after their disappointing loss to the Cobras who keep their Prem life alive for now. A Destroyers win seals the playoffs for them but a loss could move Exeter to second and give them a real shot in the playoffs at the end of the season.

Tier 1

Scottish

Edinburgh vs Aberdeen – Edinburgh walkover.

Stirling vs Heriot-Watt

The University of Stirling Clansmen are set to take on the Heriot-Watt Wolverines in a highly anticipated matchup in the Division, one of the key matchups to watch will be the Clansmen's offense against the Wolverines' defence. The ability of Stirling's quarterback to navigate Heriot-Watt's aggressive defence will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game and the division as a whole.

Northern

Northumbria vs MMU

After rumblings of the Mustangs’ QB injury woes the Eagles will look at this fixture as one they can travel to Newcastle and win, but they will need to challenge the run game of the Mustangs and stop them from running away with the division. LJMU Fury will look at this same with keen eyes as an Eagles win will relegate the Fury.

Yorkshire & Midlands

Leicester vs Sheffield Hallam

This division is hotting up and the two sides battling for second place meet in Leicester to decide the fate of the two sides, a win for Leicester keeps their playoff hopes alive as they come off of a win last week against Hull. The Warriors who beat Coventry last week come into this knowing a win closes the gap between them and the Green and all but secures playoff football. This is bound to be a pivotal moment in the season for both sides.

South Western

Southampton vs Bournemouth

First versus second in the southwest as top spot Bournemouth travel to Southampton to take on a side who although they haven’t scored many, they haven’t conceded many either. The Stags need to stop the offence of the Bobcats that have been on fire all season long, 205 points scored so far this season and they will not slow down for the Stags.

Bath vs Bristol

The Killer Bees welcome Bristol on Saturday night as they try to steer away from the relegation places. The Barracuda need a win, as a win could push them to second in the league, these two games across the division could easily reshape the division entirely.

Southern

Reading vs Oxford

The Lancers have had a mixed season, with some strong performances but also a few tough losses. They are looking to bounce back and secure a crucial win in this matchup. They face a Reading side who are all but relegated but have had some good losses with tight games and this could be one that they highlight as a potential win.

Hertfordshire vs Brunel

The reverse fixture at Brunel’s place was a two-score game. After coming out of the starting blocks on fire Brunel have sputtered in recent weeks scoring an average of 9 points per game, they haven’t conceded many either though! Hertfordshire have been consistent all season. Either way a win for Brunel see’s them crowned division champs and a top 3 seed in the playoffs, a win for Hertfordshire secures playoff football and closes the gap on top spot. The icing on the cake for the Hurricanes would be a 15 point win to gain the head to head.

South Eastern

UCL vs UEA

Both teams have had their ups and downs, but they are gearing up for a competitive matchup. The Pirates will look to keep their push for a return to the Prem alive with a road win whilst the Emperors win could be important for three sides in the division, it could seal Essex’s relegation. This late in the season the Pirates need to win to catch up to KCL and Kent.

Essex vs KCL

Essex are desperate for a win and KCL will look to keep themselves at the top of the table and Essex will be seen by the Regents as an easy win. Essex have conceded a total of 177 points and KCL have scored.

Tier 2

North Western

Lancaster vs Staffordshire – Update – Lancaster walkover, playoff spot secured.

Edge Hill vs Keele – Update – Edge Hill walkover, playoff spot secured.

North Eastern

Sheffield vs Sunderland

Top two in the east face off as a win for the Sabres will all but win the division for the South Yorkshire outfit, but the Spartans will take the game to Sheffield and look to seek revenge on the defeat at the beginning of the season. It is certainly set to be an entertaining one this weekend.

YSJ vs York

It's the battle for York and the Centurions look to put their first game of the season behind them and face a Jaguars side who are yet to win and stand at 0-2, both sides need a win to keep any hopes of playoff football alive, it is another high stakes game in the north.

Midlands

Cambridge vs ARU

ARU need to win to stay alive in the midlands. However, Cambridge will have playoff aspirations and will see the winless Siege to keep that run going.

DMU vs Lincoln – Update – Lincoln walkover.

South Western

Bath Spa vs UWE 2

The Bulldogs host the Bullets 2s and we haven't seen much of either side. The Bullets will look to take inspiration from their first team and be unbeaten for the rest of the season and challenge for the top spot in the division.

Plymouth vs Gloucestershire

The Blitz are coming off a win last time out and face a Gloucestershire side who although have a very impressive Instagram page, have had a rather underwhelming season and this weekend's game could see them still be winless as they make the journey to a red-hot Plymouth side

Southern

Royal Holloway vs Solent

Two sides who are yet to win in their division as we see the winless few now facing each other, it's hard to say which way this might go as both sides haven’t looked the best but now with these sides facing up against each other it could make these fixtures much more competitive.

Surrey vs Chichester

The Stingers, who have won a game, face the Spitfires who are bottom of the division are still haven’t won, for both sides this is important as whoever wins will be best set up for the busy end of the season.