Match Report: Bath University 31 - 43 Exeter University

With the title now secured, Exeter University began to look ahead to the playoffs, looking to complete the double and a 3rd consecutive cup title. However, there was still the matter of the regular season to finish.

In our penultimate game, we travelled to Bath, where we narrowly missed out on the title last season despite a bonus point win. This time around the title was already wrapped up but that didn’t stop the boys in green putting on a show.

Looking at the league positions of both sides, Exeter would have been the more likely to start fast, but it was the hosts who opened the scoring just 5 minutes in. Following some ill-discipline at the ruck and the maul, Bath worked their way within 5m. Exeter managed to hold the forward’s charge towards the line, however, left a gap open on the blindside. Scrum-half Elis Horgan spied this and didn’t miss his opportunity.

Things soon got worse for Exeter, as Bath doubled their advantage less than 10 minutes later. This time the maul was used as the platform to launch from, with the backs delivering a first-phase move catching out the Exeter defence, leaving Sam Mercer free on the wing to score. With Iwan Price-Thomas adding conversions for both tries, an upset was seemingly on.

Those 2 early scores seemed to wake up the visitor and things finally began to turn in their favour. Bath hooker Max Pearce was yellow carded for a high tackle on Lucas Dorrell before Exeter launched a full-on attack into the 22.

After a few failed attempts close to the line Exeter opted to use the maul against their hosts this time. The Exeter forwards powered straight through their opposite numbers on their way to the try line, with Seb Driscoll scoring another try this season to continue his impressive debut year.

The game soon settled down as Exeter continued to hunt for a breakthrough, until out of nothing some excellent pressure from Gentry and McCaig offered an opportunity. The centre charged down the kick, and with Kian Gentry running through, he won the race to the ball and then to the corner. Exeter was right back in the game.

It looked like we would be heading into the break even, until both wingers made the difference. In back-to-back phases, Joseland and Gentry got Exeter within 5m. The forwards took over from here, and it only took one carry to do it. In his 2nd BUCS Super Rugby appearance Josh MacAndrew carried a couple of Bath defenders over the line for his first try in green and white.

McCaig added the conversion and after a slow start, Exeter had the advantage at the break.

HALF TIME SCORE: BATH UNIVERSITY 14 – 19 EXETER UNIVERSITY

With Exeter firmly on top, they looked to continue that momentum into the second half, with MacAndrew once again being the difference maker. The hooker powered through the defence, forcing the hosts to retreat, allowing Gentry a clear now. The winger got on the outside of his man and had enough pace to beat him to the corner for his second try of the match.

Not wanting the game to get out of sight, Bath rallied and responded soon after. Another clever play off the lineout. This time it took until the second phase to score, but Eddie Erskine’s try kept the scores tight heading into the final 25 minutes.

With such a big and impressive squad this year, some players have struggled for game time, and so must prove their worth when they get their opportunities. MacAndrew impressed, as did Oscar Beckerleg who scored to reinstate Exeter’s commanding lead. After being stopped just short the boys in green kept patience and waited for a chance to strike. An excellent carry by Milo Hallam offered that for Beckerleg who wasted no time in diving over before the defence was set. Another successful kick by McCaig and the gap continued to increase.

Despite the continuous scoring, neither team were able to hold a gap as with every try, another game soon after by the opposition. Once again Exeter’s lead was pegged back almost immediately through another two phase move by the hosts. A delicate inside ball to find Sam Mercer led to the break, with the winger using all his pace to finish out wide.

Wanting to set a marker down, Exeter responded with a score of their own, with Josh MacAndrew rounding off a fantastic performance with a second try of the night. This time he will have the opposition to thank. A dropped ball of the restart fell straight into the oncoming hooker’s hands, and with an open gap in front of him put the foot down to score. A fabulous try to wrap a fabulous performance from him.

The unforced error seemed to take the sting out of Bath a bit, as they began to struggle in attack. It would take until the 80th minute to muster any kind of comeback as Jasper Spandler was powered over at the maul. However, it wasn’t enough to make the final minute tight, especially as an earlier McCaig penalty settled the result beyond doubt.

FULL TIME SCORE: BATH UNIVERSITY 31 – 43 EXETER UNIVERSITY

These last few games are all about building and maintaining momentum going into the playoffs, and a bonus point win achieves that.
Next week we head to Leeds Beckett for the final round of BUCS Super Rugby, and we will find out who we face in the Quarterfinals after the final whistle.