It was Plymouth Albion who came out on top in a 12-try thriller against Exeter University at a sun-kissed Topsham Sports Ground.

Exeter opened the scoring with a wonderful counter-attacking try from Kofi Barton-Byfield, before Plymouth responded through Herbie Stupple, Alex Ducker and a penalty try, as their dominance upfront gave them the upper hand.

EURFC refused to lie down though, with Tom Cairns latching onto a chip through to dive over, before Ross Vintcent showed great awareness to level the game.

A late try from Lucas Dorrell saw Exeter lead at halftime, before Max Bliss raced over at the start of the second half.

In a see-saw battle, Plymouth hit the front with tries from Jeremy To'a and Craig Duncan, before Max Courtis bludgeoned over to see Exeter retake the lead.

It would be last second heartbreak for the students though, as Albion broke from inside their own 22, to send Dan Pullinger over, sealing the win.

Exeter University:

M. Bliss, H. Hughes (A. Hill 41), K. Gentry, M. Courtis, K. Barton-Byfield, J. Barton (S. Walker 60), T. Cairns (N. Armstrong 40, T. Cairns 69), C. Freeman (T. Harris 57), S. Butterworth (O. Webb 74), A. Owlett (T. Gulley 74), S. Higginson (T. Bowen 47), M. Cook, L. Dorrell, R. Vintcent (R. Kelly 52), W. De Boehmler

Tries: Barton-Byfield, Cairns, Vintcent, Dorrell, Bliss

Conversions: Barton (3)

Plymouth Albion:

C. Duncan, S. Raumakita, J. To'a, I. Welch, A. Ducker, T. Putt, J. Oulton, R. Rukhadze, H. Wilkinson, D. Pullinger, D. Collier, S. Sheriff, J. Clemson, T. Clarke, H. Stupple

Subs: J. Salter, G. Mills, M. Denton, A. Hodges, O. Mulberry, S. Brown, O. White, S. Burne, C. Groves, F. Nowell, J. McFarlane, T. Petty, M. Stone

Tries: Stupple, Penalty, Ducker, To’a, Duncan, Pullinger

Conversions: Putt (4) White

Referee: A. Wookey