By Marcus Williams
THE University of South Wales 1sts were convincing winners against Bristol at the Sport Park.
Three unanswered points in the first few minutes from the hosts signalled their intentions, but the opening 15 minutes were evenly contested with neither side letting the other build up much momentum.
Bristol fought back by the end of the first quarter to be level at 8-8, with USW frustrated at the amount of contact fouls they conceded.
USW started off the second quarter with a very good set of probing attacks and careless defending from Bristol’ gave them some encouragement.
USWs attacking philosophy was easy to see, build each drive out from the back and utilise the pinpoint passing accuracy of centre Aggie Falrow.
Some determined defending kept the score at 18-18 at the halfway stage and they continued their miserly mood thereafter, with goal defender Molly Carre outstanding. If there was a Bristol attack, she was there.
After yet another flurry of points from USW the fourth quarter lead of USW was propelled to 11 points at 40-29.
The last five minutes of time dragged for USW, as they had to fight off attack after attack from Bristol to keep their lead.
But while both teams tired and were forced to dig deep, USW dug that bit deeper to earn their deserved victory.