Cardiff Met University vs Exeter University

Yesterday saw the Exeter 1st XV side make the trip back to Wales to face Cardiff Met at Cyncoed Campus in Round 7 of the BUCS Super Rugby League. The atmosphere was buzzing as the supporters came in to support the Archers in full force.

As the whistle blew, both teams were eager to get their hands on the ball, and the visitors were swiftly underneath it. However, pressure caught up with Exeter as a handling error gave Cardiff Met the first scrum of the game. The home side took advantage of this penalty and drove down towards Exeter’s ’22 but a knock on gave the ball back to the visitors. Pressure from both sides resulted in further handling errors and it was a battle of the scrums for the first ten minutes of the clash, with no points scored.

As the game pushed on, an infringement from Exeter gave Cardiff Met an opportunity to put some points on the board, with a penalty kick. With the kick successful, the home side were leading with 3 points under their belt. The next ten minutes of play was filled with more penalties from both sides and the pressure caught up with the teams. A high tackle from the visitors for a high tackle gave Cardiff Met the extra man advantage, which saw Cardiff Met secure the first try of the match. With the conversion successful, the home side were leading 10-0 and it was time for Exeter to show up at Cyncoed.

The boys in green knew it was time to retaliate and with less than ten minutes of the half to go, points on the board were needed. Off the restart, Exeter were awarded a penalty, and Luca Mignot struck the ball out of the field for the line out. The Exeter side formed their renowned maul and it was try time, with Louie Gulley placing the ball over. Charlie McCaig struck the ball with precision, giving the visitors the needed extras before the half-time whistle.

HALF TIME SCORE: CARDIFF MET UNIVERSITY 10-7 EXETER UNIVERSITY

As play resumed, the tight score certainly saw both teams hungry for the win, off the whistle. Exeter were back to a full team on the pitch and were swiftly in Cardiff Met’s ’22 with a point to prove. The referee awarded Exeter a penalty, and with speed the visitors were going through their phases eager for the try. A quick inside pass from Kofi Barton-Byfield, saw Jake Murray score Exeter’s second try of the clash, and with the try converted Exeter put themselves in the lead with the score at 10-14.

Cardiff Met was hot on the ball off the restart, eager to reclaim the lead. Handling errors from both sides saw plenty of scrum action in the following ten minutes of the game. Exeter held strong in their scrums and were rewarded with the scrum penalty. The lineout was in a cracking position for Exeter, five metres out from the white-wash. The boys in green formed their familiar maul and this time, it was Joe Vajner who reached over the line. Charlie McCaig delivered on his kick, updating the score to 10-21, with fifteen minutes left of the game.
As play resumed, Exeter started on the right foot and were given another try opportunity with their dominant attack charging into Cardiff Met’s ’22. Luca Mignot saw the gap on the right wing, and passed the ball wide to Hugo Ellerby who went over for the try. With Charlie McCaig under the ball and with his kicking success rate 100% yesterday, he secured the two points, taking the score to 10-28.

With the clock ticking, Cardiff Met were hopeful to score some points but it was Exeter that came away victorious at Cyncoed Campus.

FULL TIME SCORE: CARDIFF MET UNIVERSITY 10-28 EXETER UNIVERSITY

A great win away from home yesterday for the Exeter side and they come away after 7 games with 7 consecutive wins. Next week, the team look ahead to hosting Bath University in Round 8 of the BUCS Super Rugby League.