An intense clash that resulted in a win for the boys in green
With a bite in the temperature but no rain, this game was forecasted to be an intense clash in Round 18 of the National League 2 West with Exeter University facing Hornets.
The home side were determined to start with a bang as the mighty Tirion Bowen broke from the line and dived over to get the first try of this intense clash. The consistent Sam Walker obtained the important two points, and Exeter were up 7-0 in only the first few minutes of the game. Handling errors from both sides saw the match get off to a slower start, but Exeter soon took the opportunity to put points on the board as Sam Walker had another opportunity and placed the ball over the posts due to Hornets being offside. Exeter continued with their strong lead and after a quick outside pass from Dylan Power, it was Ed Volley who went over the golden line. However, the game briefly turned Hornet’s way as prop Tom Gulley was presented with a yellow card. The Penalising just kept flowing, as not long after Hornets hooker Chris Francis was handed with the same offence. Throughout the first half, Exeter dominated with the possession more than the visitors, although avoidable errors were made from the home side. With minutes to go of the first half, Hornets missed their important penalty kick, and looked for an opportunity in the home side’s ’22, but failed to put any points on the scoreboard.
As the half time whistle blew, the visitors needed to secure some form of retaliation against the persistent home side, to try level with Exeter’s score of 17 points. Nevertheless, the second half of the clash got off to an invigorating start, and it was clear that Hornets had gained motivation to challenge the Exeter side. Both teams felt this pressure, as there was consecutive knock-ons from each respective side, meaning that the scrum practice in training had to be whipped out the bag. After the boys in green regained possession, it was the powerful Zack Wimbush who made a clear break from the line and sprinted down the open pitch. However, this opportunity of a try was soon taken away, after a forward pass was called from the referee and it was the visitor’s penalty. With no points on the board for the visitors, with 50 minutes on the clock, Hornets had a lot to prove. It wasn’t long before Exeter were in the opposition’s ’22 and Dylan Power assisted yet another beaming try, that was scored by Tommy Roberts on his first game back.
It was evident that Hornets stepped up in the second half and their hard fought efforts paid off, as Number 8 Matt Parker went over the line. After a successful conversion, the score stood at 22-7 to Exeter, with the possible bonus point try on the boy’s radar. Hornets were eager for more, and after a strong line out 5 metres from the try line, it was a driving maul try that gave the visitors those crucial points. Hornets followed this up with two more consecutive tries from replacement Tom Sims and winger Henry Gliddon. Hornets missed their all important conversion, and the Exeter side could breathe a slight sigh of relief with the score standing at 22-19. With the crucial few minutes left on the clock, and the tight score looming, it was Exeter’s number 8 Will De Boehmler, who powered through Hornet’s defence and leapt over the line for the important bonus point try. With the conversion successful and the final whistle blown, it was proven to be a tough defeat for the Hornets, but a hard fought win for Exeter.
Next Week sees another home fixture at Topsham where Exeter take on Old Redcliffians in Round 19 of the National League West 2.