Try-mania on return to Topsham
Here we are, back again at Topsham for what is bound to be another feisty season of rugby.
This week we hosted Hornets in the second week of the National 2 west League. Hornets had a powerful start last week as they defeated our known rivals- Loughborough on home soil.
The boys were expecting a tough game at Topsham today in 29 degree heat, and they weren’t wrong.
The game kicked off with Exeter at the front foot of the ball, with the strong pairings of Charlie Mcaig and Chester Ribbons making their way down the pitch, and with an offload to Benjy Joseland, the first try was secured.
An impressive fresh face of Ben Coen who started at fly-half struck well under the ball, with the boys in green leading 7-0 only 3 minutes in to the game.
Hornets retaliated by winning the scrum penalty, which resulted in exeter being pushed back to their 10m line. However, things soon went Exeter’s way after the possession was back in the hands of Exeter and after a powerful pass from Ben Coen to Kian Gentry on the wing, it was try time once again.
With Coen’s conversion the score stood at 14-0 and only 10 minutes into the game, it was sure to be a cracking game under the hot Devon sun.
The game continued swiftly off the restart, where Exeter proceeded to impress, and with notable touches from centre Chester Ribbons and Will Smears, Exeter had bagged another try.
With the score at 21-0, Exeter had certainly started with a bang on our return to home soil. Tries followed for Exeter from Benjy Joseland and Josh Cunningham.
With minutes to go before half time, it was time for the visitors to retaliate with a try. And that they did- persistence from Hornets through their phases led to a try down the left wing. After a missed conversion the score stood at 33-5.
Exeter were hungry for more, and after consistent play down the field, Kane James broke from the line and delivered the ball to none other than our BUCS Super Rugby Captain for this year- Lucas Dorrell.
After a successful first half of kicking from Ben Coen, the score stood at 40-5 to Exeter, putting them in a strong position for the second half.
HALF TIME SCORE: EXETER UNIVERSITY 40-5 HORNETS
After a dominating first half from the home side, the intense clash resumed and both sides were hungry to come back strong. Hornets were buzzing after the break and had a sting in their tail as they were awarded with a scrum on Exeter’s 22m line.
However, Exeter swiftly gained possession of the ball, and were inching closer to the try line with every step. This time, it was Archie Owlett’s turn to put the points on the board, after making a break and reaching over the white wash. Coen struck the ball with precision and accuracy, adding those two extra points onto the board.
Off the restart, it was clear that Hornets were ready to fight back, and with accurate passes between each other it was the scrum half Declan Dorrington who drove the ball over the line for the visitors. Fly-half Jamie Elswood converted, leading the score to 47-12 into the second half.
Exeter maintained control throughout the next part of play, but an unfortunate handling error gave the visitors a scrum on the 5m line. Hornets didn’t use this opportunity, but soon got given another chance after the home side were penalised for not rolling away.
The visitors used the extra opportunity wisely, and scored the try through a rolling maul down the left wing. A successful conversion changed the score to 47-19.
Exeter soon retaliated with some more tries from Tom Gulley, Chester Ribbons and Kofi Barton-Byfield. Ben Coen had a cracking kicking game securing the conversions taking the score to 68-19 with minutes to go before the end of the clash.
FULL TIME SCORE: EXETER UNIVERSITY 68-19 HORNETS
An incredible display of rugby today at Topsham, where the boys certainly caused excitement for the upcoming season ahead.
Next week we face Hinckley away, which is sure to be a tough fixture for the boys in green.