Arriving at Topsham on Saturday there were some initial doubts at the state of the pitches. Following Wednesday’s triumphant double header against Durham would the turf be playable. Despite the rain over the past few days, stellar work from the groundsmen made sure the game went ahead.

It was action straight from minute one as an early penalty got Exeter up into the 22. After keeping the ball tight in the tough conditions, fly-half Sam Walker called for the ball. Initially he looked wide however with no options available had to take on the Dings defence himself, and he did not disappoint. Hot stepping past 3 of the visitors, before diving over for the opening score.

An immediate response came from Dings though as they won a penalty straight off of the restart. Fly-half TJ Wilstead stepped up from 30m out and slotted the 3-pointer to reduce the gap to 4.

With conditions poor, and grip at a premium both teams decided to play the territory game, and a kicking battle ensued.

Another hallmark of a wet, muddy rugby clash is the maul, and this is how Dings took the lead for the first time. Collecting a 5m lineout, the Gloucestershire pack set up the maul and drove toward the line. Flanker Tom Anderson came up with the ball and Dings were ahead.

Exeter responded with immediate pace and precision in attack. Constructing the try from around halfway, strong carries from the forwards kept momentum going. Walker called for the ball and shipped on to Ed Volley. Just as his fly-half had done earlier, the centre wandered his way through the defence and dove over for the try.

In an action packed first half, Dings responded in just as little time, and it was yet again using their strong forward pack. The maul was held up just short this time, but numbers were dragged in meaning space opened up out wide. Fullback Ollie Millner was the grateful recipient that put the visitors back in control.

However, once again the lead switched hands within moments. A probing grubber kick from Harvey Graham caught the Dings defence short and in trouble. Flying second-row Tirion Bowen was on the wing, proving his pace beating out everybody to the ball and touch down in the corner.

Finally the game began to settle down as both teams found the ever-growing mud tough going.

This played into the hands of the visitors and their big pack, using their size and weight to full advantage in the final play of the half. A real area of weakness for EURFC has been the maul, and yet again it was their downfall. This time Chris Rovery was credited with the score and Dings had a one-point lead at the break.

HALF TIME SCORE: EXETER UNIVERSITY 19 – 20 DINGS CRUSADERS

Unfortunately the drama and excitement of the first half was hard to live up to in the second, with the weather tearing up the pitch and coating every player head-to-toe in mud.

Eventually Dings got into an attacking position and drew the penalty out of the Exeter pack. With a slippery ball and every increasingly difficult attacking conditions, they made the wise choice of going for the points. Wilstead slotted the kick to keep the scoreboard kicking over.

This was quickly backed up by yet again another attacking lineout for the visitors. Yet again the maul was set up an driven over the line and Dings had full control over this match once again.

The match once more settled down in a dog fight between the 2 sides. Mauls and kicks were the most effective use of time and possession, with attacking rugby being next to impossible in the mud.

EURFC were not out of the game yet and did begin to build toward the final 5 minutes. Sam Walker slotted a difficult kick to get Exeter within losing bonus point range, and just enough time to push for the win.

There was one last opportunity for Exe, but the lineout went astray, and with that so did their chance of victory.

FULL TIME SCORE: EXETER UNIVERSITY 22 – 28 DINGS CRUSADERS

An unfortunate, narrow defeat in horrible conditions which could of gone either way right until the end. Hopefully the weather is slightly kinder next week as we again hit the road, making the short trip towards Bristol for a match up against Old Redcliffians.