1st XV (BUCS 1)
Matches
Wed 13 Nov 2019
Durham University RFC
Tries: M Reaney, J Hedley, C Wilson, B FowlesConversions: N Wyman (4)Penalties: N Wyman
38
27
Exeter University RFC
1st XV (BUCS 1)
Tries: R Capstick, M Johnson, A ReltonConversions: H Bazalgette (3)Penalties: H Bazalgette (2)Yellow Carded: J Yates
Set-Piece Woes as Exeter Succumb to Durham Power

Set-Piece Woes as Exeter Succumb to Durham Power

Harry Scott-Munro14 Nov 2019 - 17:21
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Exeter succumbed to a 38-27 defeat to league leaders Durham on Wednesday night, as the home side extended their lead at the top of the BUCS Super Rugby table and maintained their unbeaten start to the season.

Exeter started brightly and looked to score early doors, feeding the ball to Luke Mehson whose electric run was eventually stopped five metres out from the try-line, as he was forced into touch. After a period of territorial kicking, Exeter won the first scrum penalty of the evening from a powerful drive from the front row, with Bazalgette’s kick to the corner giving Exeter a strong attacking position. This was one which they duly took as, after a strong initial maul, number 8 Richard Capstick burrowed over, Bazalgette converting for an early 7-0 win. In the 13th minute Capstick again came to the fore, brilliantly holding up the Durham maul to secure a turnover for his team. Durham responded in the 16th minute as they were gifted field position from the concession of an Exeter penalty at scrum time. After a strong maul from their pack, a delicate cross-field grubber kick was collected by their winger, who scored in the corner. After the successful conversion, the scores were level. Durham now took control of the game, playing the territory well, despite the best efforts of Elderkin and Tarling in midfield.

After Exeter conceded another breakdown penalty, Durham kicked to the corner and, despite Exeter stopping the initial maul, they scored their second of the night through an inch perfect cross-field kick from their fly-half. With the successful conversion, Durham took a 14-7 lead, one they held onto into the break, despite some strong defensive moments, notably Johnno completely folding the attacker in half with a perfectly timed tackle that could be heard from the balconies. Exeter’s opportunities to attack fell apart as the lineout began to creak, Durham seizing upon this with regular success to clear their lines.

Exeter struck early in the second half, as short-range specialist Johnno popped up with the score from a metre out, finishing off a period of sustained pressure from the forwards, Bazalgette converting to level the scores at 14 apiece. This lasted mere minutes however, as Durham regained the lead in the 46th minute, again seizing upon the strength of their maul and kicking game. After a well-set maul, Durham drew the penalty advantage, allowing their fly-half to secure his third kick assist of the game, this time a well-placed grubber through that was pounced upon by one of his teammates. The successful kick stretched the lead back to seven. Bazalgette closed the gap in the 50th minute with a long-range effort from 48m, cutting the deficit to four points.

Five minutes later, Exeter took the lead from an opportunist try from Arthur Relton. As Durham looked attack from halfway, Elderkin and Tarling rushed up in defence, pressurising the pass enough for Relton to intercept and sprint clear from halfway. Bazalgette’s kick gave Exeter a 24-21 lead. Durham’s response was again, quick and incisive, scoring their fourth on 60 minutes. After Sam Maunder’s box-kick went out on the fall, Durham set themselves from yet another driving maul, pushing Exeter back almost twenty metres, before picking and going from close range to score close to the posts. It gave Durham a 28-24 advantage as we entered the final quarter. As Exeter pushed for a fourth try to retake the lead, the lineout, yet again, let them down. After several failed attempts at winning lineout ball from the penalty, Bazalgette slotted the 3 to reduce the score to 28-27 on the 70th minute.

Exeter’s discipline again came back to haunt them as they were caught driving at an angle at the scrum, Durham extending their lead to 31-27. The final nail in the coffin came in the 77th minute, as Durham were awarded a somewhat fortunate penalty try. As their fly-half kicked behind the Exeter defence, their winger appeared to knock-on whilst competing with Relton for the ball. However, the referee allowed play to continue, awarding a penalty try as Davies was deemed to have pulled back the onrushing Durham player, stopping a likely score. Both teams were to finish the game with 14 men, as after a scuffle between both teams, second row Yates and his opposite number where both sent to the bin. In truth it was a scrappy end to the game as Durham secured the full five points their performance deserved, with a standout performance from their fly-half Wyman, as Exeter left Durham with nothing.

Despite strong performances from the likes of Richard Capstick and some lovely free-flowing moves from the backs, Exeter’s set-piece was their undoing, with Durham able to dominate Exeter’s lineout and scrum, capitalising on Exeter’s ill-discipline and disappointing set-piece. A big performance is now needed next week at Topsham against Northumbria, as we seek to return to winning ways.

Match details

Match date

Wed 13 Nov 2019

Kickoff

18:30
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