Exeter University vs Cardiff University

For the second time this season Exeter University headed to a packed out Sandy Park, and after defeating Durham in October, they made it two wins from two at the home of the Exeter Chiefs as an impressive performance in the rain earned them a 32-14 win against Cardiff University.

It was clear from the start that the crowd would play a huge part in this Anglo-Welsh clash, as both the Cardiff and Exeter supporters were in full voice.

Despite only having won three times this BSR season, it was Cardiff University who started the fastest. Consecutive high tackles from Exeter allowed the Welsh side to camp themselves in Exeter’s 22 and a powerful rolling maul eventually shoved them over the line from 5m out. The conversion sailed through the posts from out wide and the hosts found themselves 7-0 down after 6 minutes.

Exeter’s attack didn’t take long to click however, and a lineout on halfway allowed them to build their first phases of the game in Cardiff’s half. Dominant carrying from both the forwards and backs dragged Exeter upfield and into pick and go range. Seb Driscoll has been a prolific try scorer this campaign and he added to his tally once more from close to the line. The conversion was missed but Exeter were back into the game and looked like they were beginning to find their groove.

The hosts, roared on by their faithful support, continued to supply the pressure and it meant Cardiff’s discipline began to slip. Unfortunately for Cardiff, Ben Coen’s kicking to touch was pinpoint, and he put his side within 5m of the opposition’s try line. The forwards took care of the rest and Milo Hallam dotted down to give Exeter the lead for the first time in this match in the 25th minute.

The backs felt it was their time to get on the scoresheet now, and following a set of phases in Cardiff’s 22, Kofi Barton-Byfield’s impressive footwork allowed him to beat the last man and touch down in the corner. The conversion was again missed but Exeter now led 15-7, and in the midst of that attack that created the try, Cardiff were handed a yellow card for a collective lack of discipline.

Cardiff looked to get back into the game, and they had the ball in their hands in the Exeter half for the first time in a while. A well-weighted chip kick in behind caused problems for the hosts and Benjy Joseland was given a yellow card for illegally stopping this attack, allowing Cardiff to kick to the corner, with both teams now having 14 men on the pitch.

Whilst Cardiff had the upper hand in the closing minutes of the half, it was Exeter who got themselves on the scoreboard again. Ben Coen charged the ball down in his own 22 before carrying well upfield. The Cardiff defence caught up quickly but the fly half put in a sublime through ball off the outside of his boot to send Kian Gentry racing over the try line with a score that is surely one of their best this season and one that also earnt Exeter their bonus point.

HALF TIME SCORE: Exeter University 22-7 Cardiff University

After a great half time performance from the Exeter Emeralds, both teams came back out onto the pitch to commence the second 40 of the Anglo-Welsh clash.

The first 10 minutes were scrappy and tensions eventually boiled over as a few handbags broke out with more than a few players from both sides getting involved. The two teams were now back to their full complement and a strong scrum gave Exeter the penalty and a 5m line out.

Just as they had all night, Exeter's forwards proved too powerful for Cardiff and a rolling maul forced Louie Gulley over the line. The conversion was missed but Exeter now looked comfy with a 27-7 lead in the 50th minute.

Exeter began to empty their bench and the replacements brought similarly impressive levels of physicality. Once more, Exeter’s attack put Cardiff under immense stress and a late hit from a Cardiff second rower earnt him 10 minutes on the sideline.

Cardiff’s defence was impressive and they forced a knock on from Exeter just before their try line. However, it was the hosts who capitalised from the resulting scrum as an almighty shove from their forward pack turned the scrum over and allowed them to dot the ball over the line. The score was now 32-7 in the 65th minute and Exeter were beginning to look like they were out of sight.

Despite being scoreless since the 6th minute, Cardiff continued to show resilience and some good work from their forwards saw them bundle over from close range in the latter stages of the game, taking the score to 32-14.

The hosts were given a final chance to attack as impressive tempo from Will Smears dragged them upfield, but they eventually coughed the ball up and that was game over.

The full time whistle was met with an almighty roar from the home crowd, and the 32-14 victory saw Exeter get back to winning ways and keep a healthy lead at the top of the table.

FULL TIME SCORE: Exeter University 32-14 Cardiff University