For a second consecutive time, Exeter are away from Topsham and this time, they face Hornets at The Nest in a fiercely competitive National League 2 fixture.

Last weekend brought an end to Exeter’s winning run, in dramatic style, with a heavy defeat to title challengers Clifton. EURFC seemed very much in the game at halftime with the gap at just 10 points, and a comeback seemed possible for the boys in green and white. However, this was not to be as our hosts ran in 4 tries and 24 unanswered points in the second half. With no game last Saturday however, it has allowed the boys to re-focus and reset their ambitions ahead of this one.

Our opponents’ season has been mixed as of late. After a rocky start, things were on the up as they came away with a narrow home win over our old university rivals Loughborough. However, similarly to Exeter, a defeat two weeks ago means they head into this one very much in need of a victory. Currently, they find themselves 11th in the league but could jump into mid-table with a win.

Team News:
A fair number of changes have been made by Head Coach Rich Hodges ahead of this one, as he looks for a response from the side.

Only three forwards remain from the Clifton game, with Matt Cook, Ronan Kelly and Josh Thorne holding their places. Coming into the side are Jared Williams and Scott Butterworth, both of whom were named on the bench during the week, on the way to a massive victory against Cardiff Met University.

There are three changes in the back line, the first of which being at fly-half with Sam Walker being preferred to marshal the attack. There are no changes to the centres as Zach Wimbush and Archie Hill remain, with the latter being an unused substitute on Wednesday evening. In the back three, both wingers drop out, with Ed Thomas shifting to the right wing and John Searle coming in on the other. Tom Tribe comes in at fullback to accommodate Thomas’ shift to the flank.

The Opposition:
Hornets RFC was founded 60 years ago in 1962 in Weston-Super-Mare just over the Devon border in Somerset. The team coached by Jack Gadd and captained by Matt Parker play at the fitting named ‘The Nest’, in obvious reference to the club’s name.

A familiar foe of ours, having been promoted alongside the University last season from the South West Premier, Hornets are a side that will look to cause a number of problems tomorrow afternoon. Finishing in third place with, in excess of 100 points last season, the yellow and blacks finished comfortably ahead of arch-rivals Weston-Super-Mare RFC who finished in 4th, securing promotion to the national leagues.

Last season it ended one-apiece between the sides, with both sides winning their home ties. The one at Topsham was a particular highlight and one of the matches of the season with 108 points being scored in total in March.

Getting There:
If travelling from Exeter, follow the M5 to junction 21, picking up the A370 once you turn off. Continue along the A370 and turn right onto Hutton Moor Road.