Bath sit joint top of BUCS Super Rugby tree at Christmas after overcoming Cardiff Met in hard-fought contest
The University of Bath men’s 1st XV head into the Christmas break joint top of the BUCS Super Rugby tree after a hard-earned 29-24 home win over Cardiff Met in their last match of 2025.
That result, Bath’s fourth win in a row, means they end the year level on 45 points with Loughborough, who overcome previous leaders Exeter on Wednesday.
Bath, sponsored by Bath Building Society, also retain the BUCS Challenge Shield after successfully defending their 3G Pitch home against a determined Cardiff Met side who took a fifth-minute lead through a converted try.
The hosts responded 10 minutes later as Harlequins Academy player Tate Williams touched down and James Linegar added the extras, then forged ahead through Jamie Howick’s converted try before Cardiff Met immediately levelled.
Alfie Griffin’s try restored Bath’s lead but the visitors kicked a penalty just before half-time to narrow the gap to 19-17.
It remained tightly fought during the second half but Bath were able to move seven points clear when England U20 lock Aiden Ainsworth-Cave touched down just after the hour mark to secure the all-important bonus point.
The next try would be crucial and Bath grabbed it with three minutes remaining, Roman Andrews going over to ensure that Cardiff Met’s late converted try was just a consolation.
Bath, who are also supported by Rengen, will resume their league campaign on Wednesday 21st January with a trip to Nottingham (7pm kick-off). Their first home match of 2026 is against local rivals Hartpury on Wednesday 28th January (6.30pm, free entry).
Match stats
University of Bath starting XV: 1 Claudius Wheeler, 2 Max Pearce (cc), 3 Alfie Griffin, 4 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave, 5 Rory McKnight, 6 Connor Treacey (cc), 7 Will Keylock, 8 Tate Williams; 9 Roman Andrews, 10 James Linegar, 11 Tyler Offiah, 12 Will Roue, 13 Jamie Howick, 14 Charlie Griffin, 15 Austin Emens. Replacements: 16 Oscar Thomas, 17 Jacob Yates, 18 Ollie Critchley, 19 Isaac Sprenger, 20 Iwan Coyle, 21 Alex Ridgway, 22 Tom Newman, 23 Jack Harrison.
Tries: Williams, Howick, Griffin, Ainsworth-Cave, Andrews.
Conversions: Linegar 2.
Cardiff Met starting XV: 1 Will Pearce, 2 Jac Morris, 3 Alex Wakefield, 4 Gethyn Cannon, 5 Gabriel Williams, 6 Sam Gardner, 7 Cerith Davies, 8 Will Owen; 9 Iwan Hughes, 10 Sam Berry, 11 Jack Walsh, 12 Adam Whalley, 13 Toby Clinch, 14 Theo Povey, 15 Ryan Williams. Replacements: 16 Harry Beasley, 17 Dylan Barratt, 18 Ryan Woodford, 19 Alfie Blackett, 20 Sam Bryan, 21 Archie Lloyd, 22 Vikas Meijer, 23 Tom Weekley.
Tries: Povey 2, Meijer.
Conversions: Berry 2, Meijer.
Penalties: Berry.
