Thursday 16 October 2014

British & Irish Cup Round 2 – Predictions

Pool 1 – Connacht v Pontypridd (Sunday, 2pm)

Pontypridd put last season's agonising semi-final defeat to Leinster A behind them with a win over London Scottish on the opening weekend. Connacht shipped a half-century of points away to Bristol. Connacht have beaten Welsh opposition twice in six attempts in the B&I Cup, with victories over Cross Keys and Llanelli in 2012 and 2013 respectively. They have never played Pontypridd before though.

Prediction: Pontypridd by 15 points


Pool 2 - Rotherham Titans v Aberavon (Saturday, 3pm)

Tries from Alex Rieder and Jack Preece saw Rotherham open this year's competition with a 20-3 win against Yorkshire Carnegie in Scarborough, while a brace of tries from Wales U20s No.8 Robert Dudley-Jones helped Aberavon pulled off a shock 18-14 win over Ulster's second string. Rotherham won both at home and away when they played Aberavon in the 2012/13 edition of the B&I Cup. After a narrow four-point victory in Port Talbot, the Titans turned on the style to win 49-7 in the return match at Clifton Lane.

Prediction: Rotherham by 10 points


Pool 4 – Bedford Blues v Cross Keys (Saturday, 3pm)

Both Bedford and Cross Keys, two former finalists, began their campaigns with defeats. Blues' on-loan fly half Steffan Jones will know all there is to know about Cross Keys having turned out for the Welsh Premiership side on a number of occasions in recent years. Jones arrived from Newport Gwent Dragons in the summer and wore the number 10 jersey in the opening round loss against the Pirates.

Prediction: Bedford Blues by 2 points


Pool 5 – Carmarthen Quins v Plymouth Albion (Saturday, 2.30pm)

Welsh Premiership high-flyers Carmarthen Quins suffered their first defeat of the season when they were beaten 37-17 by Jersey in Round 1. Quins trailed 17-0 at the break before restoring some pride with a strong second-half showing. Plymouth also showed real character in going down to a 31-24 home defeat to Leinster A, outscoring the defending champions four tries to three to take two bonus points from the game.

Prediction: Carmarthen Quins by 7 points


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