Leeds Met aiming for student glory

by Andrew Carroll

Women's rugby players are aiming for student glory at Twickenham this month in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) rugby union final.

Emphatic victories over Portsmouth (72-3), Dundee (112-0) and Loughborough (34-0) have led to their second consecutive championship final, this year coming up against Exeter University.

Leeds Met were unlucky to come away from last year's final empty handed after a spirited second half come back just wasn't quite enough to defeat the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) Women's rugby team, losing 19-12.

With the 5 times reigning champions out of this year's competition, having been defeated by Exeter in the semi-final, a new name will be on the trophy for 2011. Leeds Met have been in superb form this season, coasting to victory in all of their 13 games, scoring a total of 720 points and conceding a total of just 56.

This year's opposition, Exeter University, have overcome the challenges of Oxford (54-5), Chichester (99-0) and UWIC (24-0) en route to the final.

Leeds Met will be looking for inspiration from their England full-back Emily Scarratt who played a part in securing England Women's sixth successive Six Nations title and Grand Slam earlier in March.

Emily added: "We are really looking forward to playing UWIC at Twickenham, hopefully we can go there and come away with the win this year. We've got a great squad here at Leeds Met and the girls have been playing well all season. It's an honour to play at Twickenham and I know will give it our all to try and bring the trophy back to Yorkshire."

This women's final will have a fresh look to it and Twickenham should expect drama and a great game. The final will take place at Twickenham on Wednesday April 27, kick off at 12pm.