Exeter travelled north to Durham for their first BUCS Super Rugby fixture of the new year, still firmly in the hunt for silverware but searching for momentum to reignite their campaign and close the gap on Loughborough and Bath. The memories of Varsity success at Sandy Park were still fresh, yet Durham had circled this fixture as a chance to respond on home soil. Under cold, blustery conditions, the stage was set for a physical and demanding afternoon.

Durham burst into life from the opening exchanges, dominating the early physical encounters and moving the ball with speed through their backline. Quick ruck ball allowed them to stretch Exeter early, and it was winger Lucas Rowell who provided the incision. Beating his opposite man with sharp footwork, he released a delicate offload back inside to Victor Ravailhe, who looped around, gathered cleanly, and crossed for the opening try.

Momentum stayed with the hosts as Exeter’s discipline faltered in the early stages. A lineout deep inside Exeter’s 5-metre channel proved a pivotal moment, and despite a valiant defensive stand, Durham battered away at the line until captain and number eight Marcus Rhodes powered through contact to claim his first of the afternoon.

Exeter refused to roll over early and responded with the intent of showing that whatever Durham could do, Exeter could simply do better. After pinning Durham deep inside their own territory, the visitors executed clinically at the set piece; turning to the driving maul, Exeter rumbled forward with purpose before Sammy Erskine bundled over to reduce the deficit to a single score.

From there, the contest became attritional. Wet and windy conditions limited ambition, forcing both sides to lean heavily on their packs and kicking games in search of territorial control. Durham began to edge the physical battle, and sustained pressure from the 25-minute mark pinned Exeter back for long periods. The visitors defended stubbornly, repelling wave after wave, but the strain eventually told. On 34 minutes, Rhodes struck again from close range using less finesse and more force which the tiring Exeter defensive line simply could not hold.

HALF TIME: DURHAM 19 – 7 EXETER

The second half began with Exeter searching for a shift in momentum. The visitors started brightly, gaining territory and briefly swinging control their way as they looked to turn pressure into points. That spell, however, proved short-lived. Durham soon reasserted themselves, clicking back into rhythm and forcing Exeter to retreat once more as wave after wave of pressure kept the men in green pinned inside their own half.

The strain eventually told on 56 minutes as Durham’s backline showed its cohesion and chemistry, drawing Exeter defenders repeatedly before deftly releasing the ball wide. Winger Lucas Rowell, who had played a key role earlier in setting up Durham’s opening try, finished sharply in the corner himself this time to extend the hosts’ lead and tighten their grip on the game.

Still, Exeter showed fight and refused to fade. Hooker Tyler Bayley, continuing his prolific scoring form in 2025, scrapped his way over the line from close range to offer a late flicker of belief. But just minutes later, it seemed, that hope was short-lived. With two minutes remaining, Durham full-back Louie Platt stepped up and delivered the decisive blow from the tee, pushing the margin beyond reach and sealing the contest.

Exeter made the long journey home bruised but far from broken. Still firmly in the hunt for BUCS Super Rugby honours, they sit seven points behind leaders Loughborough with crucial fixtures ahead. A return trip to Cardiff Met awaits, followed by the looming rematch with Bath under the lights at Sandy Park — it's Varsity 2.0, yet the stakes are even higher.

The question now for Exeter is simple: when the season demands it most, can they rise again and impose themselves on the big stages still to come?

FULL TIME: DURHAM 32 – 14 EXETER