Cardiff University vs Exeter University

This week, Exeter University made the trek to Llanrumney to face Cardiff in Round 6 of the BUCS Super Rugby League. It’s always bound to be a tough one against this side, and with the weather conditions wet and windy, the side knew that they had to step up to the challenge.

Under the floodlights, the home crowd was piling in and it was all to play for. The wind wasn’t in Cardiff’s favour, as their starting kick went straight into touch, leading to an Exeter scrum on the halfway line. Pressure from the home side led to a handling error for Exeter and Cardiff had the penalty just outside of their ’22. The penalty was swiftly reversed as Cardiff were penalised for being offside, Exeter took this opportunity and ran with it, as a quick inside pass from Luca Mignot to Ed Volley gave Exeter their first try of the game. The conversion was missed, so the score stood at 0-5 only a few minutes into the clash.

Off the restart, Cardiff were hungry for revenge and the ball was sent wide to their winger, with the gap identified Cardiff had levelled up with Exeter’s score of 5-5. The next ten minutes was penalties galore for both sides and with the wind picking up and the time ticking on, the visitors knew they had to pick up the pace. Work in the breakdown forced a turnover and the visitors reclaimed possession of the ball, Exeter were working through their phases with precision and speed. It wasn’t long before Louie Gulley got his hands on the ball and went over the line for Exeter’s second try of the match. Charlie McCaig struck the ball well, and Exeter had secured the important extras, updating the score to 5-12.

As the game continued, so did the penalties, Exeter were called up for not rolling away giving Cardiff the opportunity to take the three points as a penalty kick. One successful kick later and the score gap tightened to 8-12. Exeter knew that they had to put some more points on the board to take them into a more comfortable lead in the second half. Pressure from the visitors led to a knock on for Cardiff, giving Exeter the scrum on the opposition’s 22m line. Hard work from the boys in green resulted in a consecutive penalty taking them even closer to the whitewash. Exeter’s set piece of the maul drove them over the line with Louie Gulley getting his second try of the match, on his BUCS Super Rugby debut. With the conversion missed, the score stood at 8-17 with only a few minutes to go of the half.

Cardiff weren’t going down without a fight and off the restart the home side had the ball and with a cross kick down the field, Cardiff scored on the wing. With the conversion under their belt, the score stood at 15-17 at half time.

HALF TIME SCORE: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY 15-17 EXETER UNIVERSITY

With the score tight, Exeter knew that they had to do something magic despite the tough conditions. As the whistle blew, Exeter were swiftly into Cardiff’s half, and after another assist from Luca Mignot it was Benjy Joseland who went over for the try. Charlie McCaig gave the side the important extras, and the home side were leading 15-24. Exeter’s fire in their belly continued into the second half of play, as hard work in the line out set up the perfect set piece of a maul. This time, it was Chris Freeman who spotted the space and put the ball down. Charlie McCaig’s kicks were crucial for the score and he delivered, taking the lead to 15-31.

Cardiff were eager to retaliate and pressure from the home side caused multiple discipline errors from the visitors, leading them to drive into Exeter’s ‘22. Consistent penalties from the visitors followed giving Cardiff the chance to put some points on the board. However, Exeter’s defence was strong and with a penalty awarded to the visitors, they used this chance to clear the ball out of their territory.

With the ball in Exeter hands, Full-back Benjy Joseland made a dashing break from the touch line and drove the ball down the left wing, after a kick down the field, it was Orson James who chased the ball and with a quick pick up and a pass back to Benjy Joseland, it was try time for Exeter. Charlie McCaig struck the ball with precision, extending Exeter’s lead to 15-38. With the last ten minutes on the clock and Exeter in a comfortable position, there was no time to relax, as Cardiff were making their way into Exeter’s ’22 off the whistle. Exeter remained strong in their defence, but with the crowd behind them, the home side found a gap in the defence and went over for the try. With the added two points, the score stood at 22-38 with five minutes left of the game.

The home side weren’t finished yet as the referee gave the side the penalty advantage due to discipline errors creeping up to Exeter. Cardiff formed a maul and with strength in their pack, they scored the last try of the game. With the try converted, the final score came to 29-38, with Exeter taking the win.

FULL TIME SCORE: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY 29-38 EXETER UNIVERSITY

It’s been a fantastic start for Exeter in the first block of BSR fixtures, after playing six games and coming away with six consecutive wins. The team look ahead to a well-deserved week off from fixtures. We will make the trip back to Wales for the next fixture against Cardiff Met on the 15th November.