The boys look to make amends for last week’s first defeat of the season as Exeter make the long trip to Bournville in Nat 2 West.

Two undefeated teams came head-to-head last week, and it was Luctonians who came away victorious from Topsham. A lightning start for Exeter saw Ed Volley score just 38 seconds into the game. That, combined with Woody Pugh’s try made things level at the break, showing how tight this season is going to be at the top.

Unfortunately, the black and whites were hugely motivated going into the second half and enjoying a fruitful period. 3 tries in just 11 minutes took the game beyond Exeter’s reach. A late Hugo Ellerby try kept things interesting going into the final 10 minutes, but it wasn’t enough.

After our first defeat of the season, the boys in green and white are more motivated than ever to right those wrongs and get back to wining ways. The first chance they’ll get is the away trip to struggling Bournville.

TOMORROW’S OPPONENTS

How could they be nicknamed anything but ‘The Choccos’. Playing in the shadow on Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory and founded in 1909 by a group its workers, Bournville RFC have donned the chocolate colours for over 110 years.

The club was initially heavily reliant on workers of the factory until the 1970s when a colts and junior setup was established. This carried the team through the midlands cup and Merit Tables, before the creation of the league system in the 1980s. This coincided with a hard time for the club, dwindling numbers and a lack of support left them fearing the future.

This continued for a long time, before some good management allowed them to move to Avery Fields in 2018 and establish a new home. Still playing in tier 10 the club were still relatively small, before 4 consecutive promotions brought them to the Midlands Premier League (tier 5). With the restructuring of the leagues they moved up to Nat 2 for the 2021/22 season and have remained since. Last season wasn’t the best for the club as relegation came down to the last couple of rounds. However, they managed to survive by 10 points, and will be aiming to avoid the drop again this season.

KEY PLAYERS
Nathan Declamer – Despite a tough start to the season, the winger has run in 5 tries already including a brace against Redruth.
Jacob Fewtrell – Former EURFC man, Fewtrell has been running the attack this year, and his points from the tee have been crucial in their wins this season.
James Weaver – No. 8 and club captain. He leads from the front, carrying hard and tackling harder.

TEAM NEWS

Gareth Elliot has made a few changes to last week’s side, with some boys needing some rest and others getting their first chance at this level. That includes Tolii Reeves-Hall who makes his Exeter debut in the No. 1 shirt. The remainder of the pack stays the same, with Ronan Kelly captaining from the blindside flank.

Will Smears replaces Byrne at scrum half, with Jack Park outside him, fresh off his BUCS Super Rugby debut midweek. Pugh will continue his impressive start to the season with a new centre partner in Toby Ferguson, who shifts in from his usual wing position. In that place we find Tom Tribe and Fola Adedeji, both making their first appearances of the season, the letter his first appearance in Nat 2.

Exeter looking to get back to winning ways in emphatic style, this only will not be one to miss!!