2019 has been a year of great success for Exeter University Rugby Club, with the Men’s 1st team securing a second consecutive BUCS Super Rugby league title, thanks to a 42-22 victory over Cardiff University on the final day of the regular season, pipping rivals Hartpury by 2 points. Despite a 21-15 loss to Leeds Beckett in the semi-finals, it was a year of great development and progress. With 6 rounds to go of the 2019/20 Super Rugby season, Exeter are again in contention for an unprecedented third regular season title in a row, sitting in third place but just 4 points behind league leaders Durham.

2019 saw even greater success for EUWRFC, who completed an unbeaten season with a narrow 30-26 victory in the final against Durham University at Twickenham in April. It was the perfect way to sign off for Head Coach Jo Yapp, who has since coached the Barbarians against Wales at the Principality Stadium, alongside her new role as Head Coach at Worcester Warriors Women’s Team.

With a significant number of the Twickenham final squad departing, alongside Jo Yapp, September onwards has been something of a reset, with former player Poppy Leitch combining her playing career at Bristol Ladies with her new role as Head Coach for EUWRFC. With almost an entirely new squad, it has been a challenging season thus far in the newly formed BUCS Women’s National League. Despite impressive performances and large-scale improvement not being entirely reflected in results, November’s 38-31 victory at home against Northumbria was a massive positive, finally rewarding the girls with the result their efforts across the new season had deserved.

2019 has also been a year where multiple players have made the step up into the Bristol Women’s side, with alumni and Women of the Match in the Twickenham final, Clara Nielson, being capped by England, alongside an appearance under Jo Yapp’s tutelage for the Barbarians at the Principality Stadium. Alongside Nielson’s England caps, centre Lagi Tuima now plays for Harlequins Ladies and England, with Hollie Cunningham, Poppy Leitch, Lily Stoeger-Goddard, Jess Thomas, Ebony Jeffries, Kim Grundy, Jeanine Stephenson and the aforementioned Clara Nielson, turning out for Bristol Ladies and winger Zoe Healey playing for Worcester Warriors Ladies.

For EURFC’s 1st team, 2019 began with a nervy 27-26 victory away at Cardiff Met, a result that set up the charge towards the league title. This was followed by arguably the most complete performance of the 2018/19 season as Exeter dismantled Hartpury 45-21 at the Gillman’s Ground. Despite a loss against Durham in the Varsity fixture at Sandy Park and disappointment at home the following week against West Country rivals Bath, the victory over Cardiff at home in March secured the regular season title and a quarter-final the following week against the same opposition. This time, the result was significantly closer, with a late Harry Bazalgette penalty sealing a 34-31 victory. Disappointment followed however, as Exeter’s assault on the Super Rugby final was ended with a 21-15 defeat against Leeds Beckett.

September began with renewed optimism and a fresh start for EURFC, as the 1s started off the season with impressive victories over Bath (44-26,) Cardiff Met (62-24,) and Northumbria (57-19.) Arguably the highlight of 2019 has to be the North vs South match against Leeds Beckett at Sandy Park, where the boisterous crowd were treated to a stunning sporting spectacle. With Exeter seemingly out of contention for the win at 21-13 down, a Harry Bazalgette penalty closed the gap to 5, before an opportunist Arthur Relton break off the base off a ruck sent Sandy Park into raptures. Under immense pressure, Bazalgette displayed nerves of steel, sealing a quite stunning victory with a touchline conversion with the last kick of the match. After bonus point victories over Hartpury and league leaders Durham to round off the year, Exeter are well set to mount another assault on the Super Rugby title, trailing second place Leeds Beckett by 2 and league leaders Durham by just 4 points with 6 rounds remaining.

2019 has also seen a number of former players making the step up into professional ande semi-professional rugby. Alumni Sam Skinner represented Scotland in the 6 Nations, with fellow alumni Jack Owlett joining Wasps, Tom Lawday going from strength to strength with Harlequins after leaving Exeter Chiefs and former captain Simon Linsell signing with Gloucester. Prop Josh Pieterse and back-row Jack Rouse have since signed professional contracts with Ealing Trailfinders, whilst Aaron Bagwell now plays for Richmond, competing against former teammates Ted Landry and Sal M’Boge who now turn out for Old Elthamians in National 1. Richard Capstick and Sam Maunder have both played for Exeter Chiefs in 2019 whilst there have also been international honours, with Capstick and Maunder representing England U20’s, second-row Lasha Jaiani being called up to train with the Georgian World Cup squad and Jack Rouse, Josh Pieterse and current matchday captain Paul Schroter representing England Students in 2019. Former halfbacks Pierre Thompson and Sam Morley have continued their rugby development since leaving university with Exeter Chiefs.

For EURFC and EUWRFC, 2019 has been a year of incredible moments and development, with both sides finishing the 2018/19 season as the top university rugby sides in the country. As 2020 hones into view, EURFC 1s will be hoping to push on in BUCS Super Rugby and make the jump from regular season champions to BUCS Championship play-off winners, whilst EUWRFC 1s will be looking to continue the growth and development seen since September, with the target of securing their status with the BUCS Women’s National League. With the formation of Exeter Chiefs Women’s team, with the goal of securing Tyrell’s Premiership status come September, EUWRFC will hope to continue the trend of providing top-class senior players to Premiership 15’s sides, as well as continuing the upward trajectory of improvement in the BUCS National league.

The first BUCS games for both 1st teams of 2020 come at the end of January, with the men’s 1st team taking on Swansea at Topsham on 29th January and EUWRFC 1s taking on league leaders Edinburgh away on 22nd January.

From all at Exeter University Rugby Club, we wish you a Happy New Year and prosperous 2020