A controversial finish to an action-packed match-up in Leicestershire, saw Exeter narrowly beaten by a strong Hinckley side.

Troubles started for EURFC even before the match started as second-row Matt Cook was forced to pull out after getting injured in the warm-up, but this was only a sign of things to come.

Just 2 minutes Exeter were forced into another early change, this time hooker Harry Hocking needed treatment on his head and had to leave the field, meaning Boniface Nehatta was called upon early.

With much commotion going on in the Exeter pack, Hinckley made full use of this and scored the opening try through Dale Bowyer. The hooker holding onto the back of a 5m maul which saw the Hinckley pack dominate and go over for the score.

The hosts continue to dominate the early exchanges, making another line break down the left flank. However, an excellent try-saving tackle by Toby Ferguson repelled the pressure for the time being. Unfortunately, this was to no avail as Hinckley were able to re-align and remain patient to score the try through Mitch Lamb.

This made Exeter sit up, take notice, and respond immediately with a try of their own. Some good carries got the boys up and into the 22 where they remained patient. Scrum-half Chris Ballard soon saw some space wide, sniping from the ruck and managing to get the ball away to Toby Ferguson, the winger dotting down in the corner.

It wasn’t all good for Exeter though as yet another injury, this time Conor Manzi, meant another substitute was used up early in the encounter.
Much of the remainder of the first half was played in the middle third, as neither side wanted to give away possession in a dangerous area. However, the dam eventually broke. From a lineout, EURFC had excellent field position and prop, Jacob Morris, got the score from close range. With a Sam Walker conversion, Exeter had the lead for the first time in the game.

HALF TIME SCORE: HINCKLEY 10 – 12 EXETER UNIVERSITY

The boys ran out of the changing rooms, ready for what would be an eventful second half, but yet again injury struck. Rob Gordon unable to carry on, to be replaced by Archie Rolls. The prop was forced to play in the second row for the first time in his life to compensate for the crisis.

It took a bit of time for both sides to settle down in the second half, once again neither wanting to give the other any opportunity for points. However, eventually, the pressure would toll. Back-to-back penalties against EURFC meant a 5m lineout for Hinckley. The hosts managed to get the maul going and prop Sam Greening got the score.

Immediately following, Exeter looked to apply pressure and respond. However, a knock-on was the only chance Hinckley needed for the counter-attack. Scrum-half Ben Pointon picked up the ball and had the pace to run the full length of the field for the try.

Things got worse for Exeter as a 5th injury of the day meant the end of the day for Toby Ferguson, however it did see the emergence of Will Smears off of the bench for his debut in Nat 2.

Exeter continued to mount the pressure around the 22 until Rolls made a break, but the prop/lock was brought back for an earlier forward pass. Encouraging signs from EURFC though.

This promise soon turned to points as a delicious Sam Walker pass invited Ronan Kelly on a beautiful line to charge straight through the Hinckley line and over for the score. With Walker once again adding the extra 2 the gap was down to just 3 points.

And so into the final 5 minutes we went, Exeter still desperate for a dramatic last-minute winner. Soon a gap emerged in the centre of the field. Dylan Power managed to get a pass away to Ed Volley running a good line, with the tall centre crashing over for the decisive score. However, a call from the assistant referee put an abrupt stop to Exeter celebrations. A forward pass called by the touch judge controversially denied Exeter a shot at an amazing comeback.

Exeter continued to come through and was back inside the 22 in the final minute. There seemed to be space out wide opening for Exeter as Kelly once again ran a great line off of Walker. This time though second-row James Moreton took him out high and with no arms, a tackle which was rewarded with a yellow card.

Despite this EURFC couldn’t make the man advantage count and therefore had to settle for a narrow defeat.

FULL-TIME SCORE: HINCKLEY 22 – 19 EXETER UNIVERSITY

After 3 consecutive incredible narrow losses, the boys of EURFC will now try and right those wrongs as we return to Topsham for the first time since the opening weekend of February to host Newport (Salop).