All eyes turned to the Rubber Crumb as Exeter hosted Cardiff in another pivotal BUCS Super Rugby showdown. With the season nearing its midpoint, the pressure at the summit of the table was beginning to build — and the men in green were intent on keeping their unbeaten record intact.

The Welsh side, however, arrived in Devon with fire in their eyes and a point to prove. Having pushed some of the league’s best to their limits already this season, the visitors looked determined to cause an upset and silence the home faithful. Under the floodlights and with the crowd in full voice, the stage was set for a contest brimming with physicality, precision, and pride.

For Exeter, this wasn’t just about preserving perfection - it was about proving their dominance. For Cardiff, it was about defiance, heart, and the pursuit of a seismic upset on enemy soil.

Exeter came flying out of the blocks, continuing their trademark habit this season of fast starts. From the opening kick-off, uncertainty gripped the Cardiff ranks as the duo of their jumper and lifter misjudged the flight of the ball. The bounce fell perfectly into the path of lock Felix Starkey, who needed no second invitation - crossing the line within the opening minute to ignite the Rubber Crumb.

It didn’t take long, however, for Cardiff to find their footing. A loose pass from Nic Allison was pounced upon by winger Ollie Das, who sprinted from deep within his own 22 to snatch five points for the visitors, with Tomi Booth converting to bring Cardiff level.

Das struck again soon after, this time linking neatly with his fly-half. Booth chipped a delicate kick into the corner, which the unmarked winger gathered to double his tally and extend the lead. Exeter held their composure and replied on 20 minutes through a brilliantly constructed try of their own. After a series of heavy carries softened Cardiff’s defence, Jed Findlay sliced through before offloading out the back to winger Kian Gentry, who finished smartly in the corner.

It was quickly turning into a shootout. Cardiff hit back almost immediately through inside centre Josh Pascoal-Reynolds, whose sharp line cut Exeter apart. Momentum stayed with the visitors, and five minutes later another strike move from a scrum saw Pascoal-Reynolds burst through again before releasing Mason Archer to cross for Cardiff’s fourth.

Exeter, however, refused to fade. As halftime approached, the men in green clawed their way back into the contest. From a scrum deep in Cardiff territory, Findlay powered over to continue his fine form this season and lift the home crowd. Then came a moment of magic from Nic Allison, who combined beautifully with Findlay before spotting a gap himself. A perfectly executed dummy from a 2-on-1 saw the centre dive over to swing the momentum back Exeter’s way.

Yet Cardiff had the final say of the half, as fly-half Booth slotted a simple penalty from in front of the posts to edge further ahead.

HALF TIME: EXETER 26 – 31 CARDIFF

Exeter knew they needed a response after the break. Their defence held firm through waves of Cardiff pressure, absorbing phase after phase of attack. Yet it felt only a matter of time before the dam would burst.

Despite carving out chances of their own, Exeter failed to capitalise on strong field position - handling errors and turnovers proving costly. Cardiff, clinical and composed, punished every lapse. A powerful drive through the middle saw second-row Jake Campbell crash over from close range, extending the visitors’ lead.

Moments later, Exeter’s misfortune deepened. A complete backfield mishap under a high ball left the men in green stranded, allowing Cardiff to pounce on possession. Substitute Alex Salah gathered cleanly and glided through the broken defensive line to score untouched, widening the gap further.

But Exeter refused to surrender quietly. With ten minutes remaining, relentless pressure near the line earned a penalty, and prop Tom Gulley took matters into his own hands — bulldozing through two tacklers to touch down with pure strength and determination.

Desperate to preserve their unbeaten run, Exeter threw everything forward. Yet their ambition left space for Cardiff to strike once more, as Mason Archer’s dazzling footwork and quick step saw him dart past the final defender to seal the result.

Under the lights at the Rubber Crumb, this Goliath-esque Exeter side finally fell short, suffering their first defeat of the season in a 50–33 thriller against a ruthless Cardiff side.

FULL TIME: EXETER 33 – 50 CARDIFF