Alex Greggor at Topsham Sports Ground

Following an amazing win away at Cardiff Met last week, EURFC backed up that result with an emphatic win against Leeds Beckett at Topsham.

It was an electric start for the boys, who were able to win an early attacking lineout in the 22 and set up their attack. Some solid phases and a Will De Boehmler break later, and Exeter had broken through the line. Sam Higginson was then on De Boehmler’s shoulder and was able to score out wide untouched.

The game then seemed to be settling down a little. However, it once again exploded into life as nice backs move got Dan John in some space.

Although Tom Cairns was then brought down just 5m out, Exeter managed to draw the penalty and a yellow card. With Beckett’s hooker in the bin, Exeter took full advantage immediately. The kick tap and go was fired wide towards Ross Vintcent who went over underneath the posts.

Only a couple of minutes later, Exeter were right back down in the Beckett 22, this time with a 5m attacking scrum after forcing a knock-on. A solid scrum from the forwards gave scrum-half Tom Cairns a good platform to play from. Cairns then sniped from the base of the scrum, and after a couple of fends and a step in there, he was able to get himself over the line. Despite a first missed conversion from Barton, Exeter still had a dominant advantage.

The first half wasn’t done yet though, as another Exeter attacking set started with a lineout. It was taken quickly straight to Tom Harris at the front and played wide to the backs. A ball out the back of a hard line gave Kofi Barton-Byfield some space. He put the accelerator down and went over unopposed for Exeter’s bonus point score.

HALF TIME SCORE: EXETER UNIVERSITY 24 – 0 LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY

It didn’t take long for Exeter to continue their scoring ways in the second period. With a lineout on the halfway line not much seemed on. However, directly from the lineout, Ollie Leatherbarrow found himself in some space and ran it in from 50m out.

Only a couple of minutes later, EURFC scored what is bound to be one of the tries of the season. A kick came to Dan John who was able to step three onrushing defenders. He seemed to have the beating of everybody but was tap tackled just inside the 22. That did not stop him though, as he front flipped (yes, genuinely,) gaining an extra few metres. Exeter quickly recycled the ball with it coming out to Barton-Byfield once again. He used his pace to execute a near-perfect flying finish under pressure in the corner.

However, it wasn’t all smiles for Exeter. A strong maul from a lineout meant Beckett got good forward momentum. Despite the maul being held up just short of the line, the visitors were able to recycle possession and Khalik Kareem went over on the blindside, to register his side's first points of the afternoon.

Normal service soon resumed though, thanks to some good lineout pressure from the boys. Beckett had a defensive 5m lineout, and because of a lack of communication the ball went straight over the top. With Scott Butterworth unmarked at the back of the lineout, it will no doubt be the easiest score for the hooker all year.

Butterworth's afternoon would take a turn though, as just 10 minutes later he was shown a yellow card, due to penalty accumulation, and was forced to watch the next few passages of the game from the side-lines.

The lack of 15 men did not faze this team though. Barton-Byfield was once again given far too much space and used his pace to breakthrough on the counterattack. He was tapped tackled, but not held, so he got right back up and after shrugging off a couple of opponents ran in for his hattrick.

That wasn’t even game over for either side. With 5 minutes to go, Exeter generated forward carries in the middle third. A textbook team try ended with space in the backline for Josh Barton. The flyhalf then dummied and went himself managing to sneak over to bring the 50-point mark up for the hosts.

With the last play of the game, Beckett had their last word. A lapse in concentration from the Exeter defence, gave some space out wide for their attack. It ended with Jody Devine scoring right out in the corner, and with the conversion missed the referee called time on a stellar game.

After back-to-back wins in the last two weeks, Exeter will want to be carrying this momentum forward into next week’s Varsity fixture. With a big match against Cardiff University at Sandy Park to come, the boys will have no problems motivating themselves for another titanic tussle.