For the first time in 2023, Exeter got on the road and made the long trip up north to Leeds Beckett.

Hot off the back of a massive win on the crumb last week against Cardiff Met, Exeter looked to keep the ball rolling as they travelled to bottom of the table Leeds Beckett.

The wind was swirling and conditions underfoot were poor, but that didn’t stop EURFC starting fast after winning the early penalty and they put it to the corner. Exeter had an advantage from the maul and Josh Barton executed a perfectly weighted cross field kick for winger Kofi-Barton Byfield to gather and score. Barton converted the try he assisted and it was an early seven point lead for the visitors.

It wouldn’t be long until Barton got a score for himself however. Leeds were penalised for blocking in the lineout. Exeter had a lineout of their own and they played some lovely hands and running lines for Barton to finish off and dive over for the score but was unable to convert.

Beckett were a side with nothing to lose in this fixture and certainly showed that resilience throughout the game. They replied to Exeter’s two early scores just shortly after.

After breaking through the Exeter defence following a kick chase Leeds made the most of their quick ball and spread it wide to go in at the corner. The Leeds support knew that was a big score for the hosts however with the conversion missed Exeter held the lead.

Following that score we had our first scrum with conditions underfoot difficult for both packs there were plenty of resets. Despite this slight set back in the pace of the game it soon rebuilt as Arthur Thomas charged down a Beckett box kick (a theme that would common throughout the match) and Exeter looked to build pressure in the opposition red zone.

Exeter remained camped in the Beckett 22’ for the next ten minutes having a variety of opportunities to extend their lead however the final passes just weren’t sticking for the visitors despite multiple attempts.

With the pressure mounting on the hosts in their red zone discipline was let slip as there was Yellow card for Connor Oresanya for a cynical offence.

It would be Leeds who had the last laugh of the half before the break however. After breaking into the Exeter 22’ and winning a couple of penalties they kicked it to the corner. Eventually in the last action before the whistle their driving maul proved too strong and drove over.

HALF TIME SCORE LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY 12-12 EXETER UNIVERSITY

The boys came out for the second half and had a point to prove. It was scrum-half Niall Armstrong who would be the one to eventually break the deadlock.

After a cagey opening ten minutes to the second half Armstrong charged down a box kick and regathered all by himself and ran half the pitch to go in for the score.

Leeds Beckett weren’t backing down from this fight and were making this trip north a tough one for the visiting side. Leeds managed to make a half break through the Exeter line in the centre of the field through their fullback leaving the Exeter defence in disarray and after a few fast passes they managed to secure the score levelling it once again.

The substitutes started coming on for Exeter hoping to make a difference in the game; something had to break the deadlock.

Exeter took possession into the Leeds 22’ with some hard carries from the likes of Milo Hallam but eventually Beckett went off their feet giving Exeter the penalty.

They opted for the scrum and after some more massive pick and go’s it was hooker Harvey Dunn that trucked over. This time Barton converted giving a decent buffer in the score.

That try leading into the last ten minutes energised the EURFC side as they fronted up well in defence with some textbook hits. Not only this but one of the best highlights of the closing minutes was a perfectly executed 50-22 from Sam Walker who stepped in brilliantly at fullback for the majority of the game and topped it off with that kick.

Exeter looked to be in again just before the final whistle as Kofi Barton-Byfield went for one of his signature diving finishes in the corner but unfortunately got knocked out into touch whilst in the air.

Leeds almost had a last gasp attempt themselves as they worked the ball up field thanks to some subsequent penalties conceded by Exeter however thanks to some massive hits in defence from the likes of player of the day Lucas Dorrell eventually Exeter won the penalty and were ale to kick the ball out into touch to secure the victory.

FULL TIME SCORE: LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY 17-24 EXETER UNIVERSITY

EURFC may have made it harder for themselves then expected but eventually they secure the all important 5 point victory building on this good momentum to start off 2023. Next week they go away to Cardiff and will look for revenge for the result at October’s Varsity.

Exeter University RFC

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