The URC continues from 9 to 11 October with the Round 3 matches. In this blog, we’ll review Round 2 from a betting angle and keep an eye on markets and news as the weekend approaches.
ROUND 2 REVIEW
Cardiff 40 Zebre 27
Cardiff were well backed from -17.5 to -20.5. Although they won the game, it was Zebre who beat the handicap.
I had an interest in under 52.5 points, but this bet proved well off the mark.
Edinburgh 17 Stormers 13
The Stormers were backed into slight favourites for this game but failed to deliver, mainly as a result of some terrible work at lineout time.
Conditions weren’t as bad as expected, but fortunately my solid play on under 48.5 points arrived fairly comfortably.
Benetton 19 Connacht 22
Benetton were slight favourites, but I fancied underdogs Connacht to pull off the win.
They looked good in the first half, but Benetton then took control of the match and it appeared extremely unlikely that Connacht would deliver the bet. The visitors were my biggest play of the evening at odd of 13/10.
Connacht stayed in the fight, though, and broke through for a late try before holding on to win the match.
Lions 35 Ospreys 19
This was the massive disappointment of the weekend for me.
The Lions started as -12.5 favourites, so minus backers collected, but I needed over 57.5 points. Not only did I have a straight bet on the game, but I also had a number of multiples ending on it.
The match was a little stop-start early on, but things eventually opened up. Unfortunately, the Lions missed five successive conversions and that ended up costing me the win and pretty much ruined my weekend.
Dragons 38 Scarlets 26
My initial leaning was towards the Dragons, who opened as half-point favourites. However, I felt I had missed the boat at -3.5 and decided to pretty much sit the game out, placing only a small speculative bet on the draw.
Sharks 26 Leinster 20
Leinster opened as -6.5 favourites, but there was a massive turnaround in the betting after the teams were announced and the Sharks loaded their starting side and bench with internationals.
It was a good game to watch, and my 2/1 Leinster play was certainly a runner at times. In the end, though, the Sharks held on for a six-point victory.
Glasgow Warriors 33 Ulster 33
Glasgow Warriors were well backed and started at -15.5, but they failed to justify that heavy favouritism.
Ulster produced a much-improved performance following their Week 1 effort, with the teams eventually playing out a thrilling draw.
I had taken a bigger Glasgow handicap at -21.5 and needless to say my poor Saturday continued.
Munster 26 Vodacom Bulls 22
I backed the Bulls at 13/10 in a game where the lead changed hands several times.
In the end, Munster were too strong at home and won by four points, which was very close to where the bookmakers had set the handicap.
URC table update
The Hollywoodbets Sharks currently top the table with a full house of points after two matches. Cardiff, the Lions and Edinburgh round out the top four.
Looking at the other South African teams, the Bulls are seventh and the Stormers eighth. Defending champions Leinster currently sit 13th with three points from their opening two matches.
Round 3 fixtures
Friday, 9 October
Glasgow Warriors v Connacht – 20:45, Scotstoun Stadium
Dragons v Ospreys – 20:45, Rodney Parade
Saturday, 10 October
Vodacom Bulls v Lions – 13:30, Loftus Versfeld
DHL Stormers v Hollywoodbets Sharks – 16:00, DHL Stadium
Zebre Parma v Edinburgh – 16:00, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Scarlets v Benetton – 18:30, Parc y Scarlets
Ulster v Munster – 18:30, Affidea Stadium
Leinster v Cardiff – 20:45, Laya Arena
I’ll be back later today or on Monday morning with my handicap projections for Week 3.