Exeter returned to Topsham Sports Ground for a fourth-round tie in the Bleed Green league as they looked to bounce back from last week’s setback against Cinderford. Despite a strong start to the season, that defeat left the men in green eager to reassert themselves, and Saturday’s clash with Luctonians offered the chance to get back to winning ways in front of the home crowd.

Just as Exeter’s First XV had done in midweek against Cardiff Met, Exe came out firing with another rapid start. George Newman in particular seemed eager to demonstrate his qualities in today’s game, and he certainly did so in the early stages. Exeter broke down the left-hand side with the entire backline playing a hand in tearing through Luctonians’ defence; It was then the scrum-half Newman who darted over after just four minutes to finish off a brilliant, free-flowing team try, before doubling his tally only eight minutes later with a second well-taken try. Fly-half Benji Mills was flawless from the tee, adding both conversions to hand Exeter a commanding early lead.

The visitors, however, refused to be overawed. Luctonians struck back with two tries in quick succession following a charged-down kick by Caleb Montgomery, who keenly regathered the loose ball to dot down their opener. From a Luctonians lineout in Exeter’s 22, Captain Ben Link conducted a driving maul and drove over the line himself, evening the score as the two side went blow for blow during an open and frenetic first quarter. Their fightback was checked when a yellow card to outside centre James Wheeler reduced them to 14 men, halting their momentum and weakening their defence. Exeter wasted no time in capitalising on this, as they used a familiar lineout trick-move to help push Jack O’Kelly way over the line, restoring the home side’s advantage and swinging momentum back in their favour.
Despite Exeter taking advantage of Luctonians’ mistakes, the half ended on a knife edge. A late unconverted try by Luctonians lock Owien Harriott-Davies narrowed the gap once more, leaving Exeter just 19–17 ahead at the break.

HALF TIME: EXETER 19 – 17 LUCTONIANS

After the interval, it was Luctonians who appeared to seize control of proceedings. Ten minutes into the half, Exeter found themselves not only conceding a try but also reduced to 14 men with a player in the sin bin. Exe’s lineout defence was once again left wanting, allowing Captain Ben Link to wrangle his way over the try line. The visitors capitalised ruthlessly, crossing again in the 52nd minute thanks to a bruising run by No.8 Goodwin to stretch their advantage. Matters worsened for the home side when a second yellow card left Exeter down to just 13 men, and from there it seemed a mountain too steep to climb as the damage had already been done.

Despite Exeter’s early promise, a final try in the dying minutes sealed the contest, leaving the boys in green on the wrong end of a 38–19 scoreline in front of their home crowd. It was a punishing afternoon: after a bright opening, Exeter were undone by costly errors and ill-discipline, giving Luctonians the platform to pull away and take home the spoils.

FULL TIME SCORE: EXETER 19 – 38 LUCTONIANS