SWANSEA UNIVERSITY VS EXETER UNIVERSITY

Yesterday, the 1st XV headed across the bridge to face Swansea in Round 4 of the BUCS Super Rugby League. The weather wasn’t in either side’s favour with strong winds and torrential rain. Nevertheless both teams put up a fight until the final whistle was blown.

The game kicked off in Swansea’s favour as a knock on from Exeter gave the home side the scrum. Swansea ran the ball down the pitch heading towards Exeter territory, and a consecutive penalty from the visitors gave Swansea a lineout on the 5m line. Exeter were strong and unified in their defence which prevented Swansea from putting any early points on the scoreboard. The wet forecast caused the ball to become slippery which resulted in handling errors from both sides throughout the match. Exeter’s increased pressure on the home side, led Swansea to knock the ball forward giving Exeter the scrum. Orson James did well to get the ball out swiftly and Exeter were soon making their way down the midfield. Chester Ribbons made a break from the line but his try was held up by the opposition. The boys recalibrated into position eager to regain possession.

Swansea had fire in their belly, with the home crowd behind them, but pressure from the Exeter side put the ball into touch. Swansea’s efforts paid off as a handling error gave the home side the possession, with a quick look up at the field they identified a gap in Exeter’s defence and Swansea had bagged the first try of the game. Kicking conditions were less than ideal but Swansea persevered, taking the score to 7-0, twenty minutes into the clash. Off the restart, Exeter were eager to level the score and notable mentions to Zack Wimbush who picked the ball up on the wing and offloaded it to captain Lucas Dorrell, but a tackle into touch turned the ball over.

With ten minutes to go of the first half, Exeter’s back line was working well to keep Swansea out of their ’22, Swansea conceded for being offside and the boys in green knew this was their opportunity to put some points on the board. Exeter used the opportunity, and it was number 8 Seb Driscoll who scored the first try for Exeter. Charlie Mccaig secured the two extra points and Exeter were back in the game, with the score level at 7-7.

HALF TIME SCORE: SWANSEA UNIVERSITY 7-7 EXETER UNIVERSITY

With the weather conditions still far from ideal, it was time for the second half of the clash to resume. As the whistle blew, the ball started off in the hands of Swansea who were making the way down the midfield with their eyes on the whitewash. Exeter held strong in their defence, and it wasn’t long before the referee awarded Exeter with the penalty. Exeter’s hopes for a try were briefly lost due to the ball being put into touch, giving Swansea the line out inside their ’22. However, the visitors soon spotted an opportunity as the ball became loose and with strength and determination scored their familiar maul try. Charlie McCaig struck the ball over, taking the score to 7-14.

Swansea were in Exeter’s ’22 swiftly off the restart, and with increased pressure on the visitors the home side scored their second try of the match. With the conversion successful, the score was at an even 14-14 with fifteen minutes left of the fixture. Exeter recognised what needed to be done and after going through their phases, and it was tight head prop Archie Owlett who placed the ball over the line. Charlie McCaig gave Exeter the important extras and it was 14-21 with ten minutes on the clock.

With the supporters behind them, Swansea had a point to prove but couldn’t get through Exeter’s solid line of defence. The visitors soon had the advantage of an extra player as a yellow card was presented to Charlie McCaig. With determination and power, Swansea were metres away from the try line and scored their third try off the maul. With the atmosphere tense, Swansea needed the conversion to draw. As all eyes watched on, the conversion was missed giving Exeter the win.

FULL TIME SCORE: SWANSEA UNIVERISTY 19-21 EXETER UNIVERSITY

A tough battle of rugby yesterday at St Helens, but the boys persevered and came away with the win and four points under their belt. Next week we look ahead to the North vs South Clash against Durham at Sandy Park.