Exeter's first XV kicked off their BUCS Super Rugby season at Topsham Sports Ground with the goal of laying down a strong foundation for the year ahead, and they certainly succeeded in doing so. Their opening challenge came in the form of Cardiff Met University — familiar rivals who pushed Exeter close last season. Exeter ultimately edged them out last year to secure 5th place in BUCS, while Cardiff settled just behind in 6th, setting the stage for another fiercely contested encounter.

Exeter came flying out of the blocks and wasted no time in asserting themselves. Just six minutes in, hooker Tyler Bayley crashed over to open the scoring following a flurry of quick-ball attack, resulting in early tensions boiling over and a yellow card for Cardiff Met. The men in Green were determined to establish early dominance in the game, and did so in lightning-quick fashion as Kian Gentry dived in at the corner barely a minute later to double the lead. Fly-half Freddie Hirst remained composed from the tee, adding both conversions to give the hosts a dream start.

Cardiff Met, however, were never going to roll over that easily. Having targeted this game all summer, Met were looking to put a damper on Exeter's first round run-out in front of a fiery home crowd. The Archers struck back through a well weighted wide pass to Dylan Scott to put down in the corner, and although the conversion drifted wide, fly-half Vikas Meijer soon steadied his side with a penalty on 14 minutes, narrowing the deficit to just six. Exeter replied almost instantly through Hirst’s own penalty, showing their intent to keep control of the scoreboard, but Cardiff Met kept finding ways back into the contest. It was Dylan Scott again who broke through before drawing his defender and offloading to his inside man Fergusson. The scrum-half then darted over for the try, and with Meijer adding the extras, the gap was suddenly cut to just two points.

With half-time approaching, Exeter surged once more with physical command. A cunning pick-and-go at the line from the powerful No.8 Sam Erskyne caught out the Archers’ defence and restored breathing room, before Tyler Bayley bulldozed over once again to earn his first-half brace. By the whistle, the men in green had reasserted their dominance, heading into the break with a commanding 31–15 lead.

HALF TIME SCORE: EXETER 31 – 15 CARDIFF MET

Exeter picked up where they left off after the break as second row Charlie Evered crashed over the line from a well worked set-piece. It was a move straight off the training ground; Exeter deployed a dummy jumper to engage Cardiff’s maul defence before quickly shifting the ball onto the unheralded Charlie Evered to force his way over the line, stretching the lead to 21 points and handing the hosts what looked like a comfortable cushion. But from there, the game turned into a test of character. Cardiff Met began to dictate territory and possession, forcing Exeter into long spells of dogged defence.

The Archers’ pressure told when Isaac Marsh’s individual brilliance off a penalty sparked hope of a comeback. The fullback quickly took the tap and go himself, a bold but brilliant move which caught Exeter unprepared. Marsh galloped through and put boot to ball with a chip-and-chase, gathering himself and dotting down to complete a stunning try. That belief only grew when winger Jack Walsh showed his own moment of magic, dazzling defenders and dancing past Exeter’s backline to narrow the gap and put Exe firmly on the back foot. With six minutes left on the clock, substitute hooker Leo Mullins marked his impact with a try to reduce the deficit to just four points, sending a nervous hush around Topsham as momentum swung entirely Cardiff’s way.

It seemed Exeter were on the verge of letting their hard work slip, but the men in green showed grit and resilience in the dying stages. Despite relentless Cardiff pressure, Exeter’s defence refused to break again, clinging on to secure a dramatic 36 – 32 victory in their season opener. Exeter's unwavering physicality and fortitude saw the men in green start as they would hope to go on in the first round of BUCS Super Rugby, ultimately dismantling the Archers and defending their fortress.

FULL TIME SCORE: EXETER 36 - 32 CARDIFF MET