Defeated by Dings on home ground
A bitter bite in the temperature but the sun was shining through at Topsham this Saturday, where Exeter hosted Dings Crusaders. Off the whistle, Exeter had the advantage as a knock on gave the home side the first scrum of the game. Exeter were strong in their scrum but couldn’t find a gap in the opposition’s defence, to break through. Dings were awarded with a scrum penalty and persevered down the field, into Exeter territory but work in the breakdown from the home side prevented the visitors from getting any further in their pursuit.
As the minutes ticked on, Exeter were pushed back into their ’22 as the opponents were eager to put the first points on the board, and with a strong pack supporting them, it was hooker Hawkesby that went over the white-wash. With the conversion missed, Exeter looked ahead to even the score. However, discipline errors from Exeter led to the visitors being back with the ball, but their attempt for a try was swiftly denied as Ronan Kelly got underneath the ball. With 10 minutes of the half remaining, the hosts knew that they had to secure the needed points. A repeat high tackle offence saw the opposition’s tighthead with a yellow card, giving Exeter the advantage before the half time whistle.
However, the visitor’s strong attack was imminent and with the last few minutes looming it was the visitors who secured their second try of the game with a pick and go. A second yellow card in the final few minutes for the visitors gave Exeter an advantage going into the second half of play
HALF TIME SCORE: EXETER UNIVERSITY 0-12 DINGS CRUSADERS
After a short half time break, Exeter needed to respond to the visitor’s points on the scoreboard, with the 12-0 lead. The home side were swiftly into the opposition’s ’22 off the whistle, but strong defensive play from Dings saw the try be held up. The start of the half saw a kicking game in the midfield, but it was Dings who were awarded the line out just outside of Exeter’s ’22. With might, determination and a quick offload to the winger, it was try time again for the visitors. Discipline errors creeped up to the home side, and Dings continued to extend their lead with Hone getting under the posts. With the try converted, the score stood at 0-24 with just under twenty minutes remaining.
Pressure from the visiting side proved to become too much for the hosts, as off the line out, Dings found themselves with another try, off the rolling maul. With time running out, Exeter needed to deliver with some points. Woody Pugh fed the ball to Ben Potter off the break, and with a quick hand to Ronan Kelly, Exeter scored their first try of the match. With the kick missed, the score stood at 5-29 with under ten minutes remaining of the game.
As play resumed, Exeter ramped up the pressure, and defensive play from Kofi Barton-Byfield saw the speedy winger get his hands on the ball as he raced for the posts. Ben Coen secured the extras, which took the score to 12-29 with five minutes remaining. However, Dings weren’t finished yet as they bagged themselves with one converted try under the clock.
FULL TIME SCORE: EXETER UNIVERSITY 12-36 DINGS CRUSADERS
Dings had the upper hand at Topsham today and it was a tough defeat for Exeter on home soil, with some areas of improvement to focus on for next week.