With the boys back to winning ways last week, we now welcome Old Redcliffians to Topsham in Round 19 of National League 2.

Last week started fantastically for the boys, scoring 3 early tries to put themselves up by over 20 points in what seemed would be a routine victory. However, Hornets soon responded with 3 tries of their own reducing the gap to 3. As the game reached its climax, Exeter managed to secure the win, and the bonus point, thanks to a late de Boehmler try.

Exeter will have to ensure that doesn’t allow that kind of lead to slip again as we head towards the season finale in just a couple of months’ time.

Tomorrows Opponents:

Based around Bristol, this will be one of the shorter trips for Old Redcliffians this season. Founded in 1918 the club was formed by some former pupils of the nearby Redcliffe Boys School who wanted to get back to playing rugby following the end of WW1. When the leagues were created in the early 90s, Old Reds largely played in the Western Counties League. This is where they would stay until the 2010s.

They saw back-to-back promotions around this time to reach National League 3 for the first time ever. Despite getting relegated they soon bounced back into the 5th tier. This is where they were last year when we meet for the first. It turned into an intense rivalry throughout the season as we jostled for top spot. Neither team losing a game at home is an impressive feat, and with 3 losses away the title went right down to the wire. Exeter managed to pull through by just 2 points to cap off a remarkable season. Both teams won their respective home games last season, with Exeter winning the aggregate score comfortably by 56-36.

Their most famous former players include former Newcastle Falcons and Worcester Warriors second-row Darren Barry, and the former Leicester Tigers captain and current England and Bristol Bears loosehead prop, Ellis Genge.

TEAM NEWS
Following last weeks’ victory head coach Rich Hodges has decided to keep much of the side the same. Only two changes are made in the pack, with club captain Matt Cook coming in for Josh Cunningham, and Josh Thorne coming in for Lucas Dorrell. Both Cunningham and Dorrell played midweek in BUCS Super Rugby explaining their absence.

The only alteration in the back line is found at scrum half as Orson James comes in as we see Jago Bailey start on the bench.

How to get here:
Car: Topsham Sports Ground is located just outside of Topsham itself. Follow the A38 and pick up signs for the A379 to Topsham.
Parking: Limited parking is available at Topsham Sports Ground, with cars charged per person on the gate. Disabled parking is also available onsite. Please contact the club via Twitter or Facebook for disabled parking arrangements.
Train: From Exeter St. David’s, connect onto any train to Exmouth, leaving the train at Topsham. The ground is approximately 10 minutes from the station by foot.
Matchday Facilities:[/b] A BBQ will be available at the ground, providing burgers and hotdogs throughout the match. No drinks will be available at Topsham Sports Ground on game day.
Admission Fee: £5 for adults, £2 for students. U16s go free
Entry can be paid by cash or card on the gate.