With the sun shining and air warm it was the perfect day for some attacking rugby, and that’s exactly what we got from Exeter University. The boys in green ran in 9 tries to sink new boys to the national leagues Devonport Services.

As we get closer to the start of the BUCS Super Rugby season, the squad is becoming more complete, with players gradually coming back after training with Exeter Chiefs for much of pre-season. Therefore, DoR Gareth Elliott had was able to bring in the likes of Kane James, Ben Coen and Joe Bailey back into the side, all 3 of which had been part of the England U20s side who’d lifted the World U20s Championship in South Africa over the summer.

Elsewhere there were first starts for Ralogaivau, MacAndrew and Godfrey in the front row, Oscar Beckerleg and Jack Forsythe also returned from Chiefs duty and Nick Lilley made is debut in the centres.

Exeter started the far brighter side, with it taking just 5 minutes to open the scoring. Lilley running a fantastic line off Dylan Power to cut straight through the Devonport backline and finishing under the posts. Ben Coen added the conversion, but Exeter was just getting started.

They continued to bang on the door, Noah Fenton being denied twice in quick succession, but the pressure was mounting. Eventually the dam broke. An overthrow at the lineout was pounced upon by Josh MacAndrew who just had to dive over the line for the try.

Didn’t take long for Exeter to further extend the lead as Lucas Dorrell drove over from close range following a strong maul from the pack. Yet another conversion for Coen, and Exeter had 21 points in just 20 minutes.

Next game a try of the season contender already as the uni boys went coast to coast. Off the restart Ridl beat a couple of players and linked by with MacAndrew down the wing. The hooker raced through before giving back inside to Ridl who found Skinner and then Oscar Beckerleg who walked it in under the posts. It’s a try that will be replayed all season for sure.

With the bonus point now wrapped up, Exeter seemed to take their foot off the gas, allowing Devonport back into the game. A couple of fortuitous bounces and some ill-discipline gave the hosts a 5m lineout. Using their strong pack they made it count driving over the line, James McFarlane scoring the first try at Rectory Field in Nat 2.

The ill-discipline came back to haunt Exeter again as they received 2 yellow cards in the space of 1 minute. Beckerleg was the first to be sent to the bin as he was caught offside, denying a try scoring chance. MacAndrew quickly followed off the pitch as he was binned for an off the ball incident.

Down to 6 forwards, Exeter couldn’t handle to pressure from the Devonport pack as the hosts drove over from the scrum just 2 minutes later.

HALF TIME SCORE: DEVONPORT SERVICES 14 – 28 EXETER UNIVERSITY

Despite the bright start, Exeter were pegged back in the 2nd half of the opening period, leading to a tense start to the second half. Both teams struggled to create any chances, as the power of the Devonport pack cancelled out Exeter’s desire to play attacking rugby.

After a nervy opening 15 minutes Exeter managed to force a penalty and head deep into the 22. From the 5m lineout there was no stopping the pack driving over, with Kane James scoring his first try of the season.

With the pressure now relieved, the game became far more open. Just 2 minutes later a sloppy pass from the Devonport fly-half was pounced upon by Campbell Ridl who hacked through the loose ball, and dove on it in the corner.

The try rush didn’t stop there either as Jed Findlay go in on the action. A dinked chip by Coen in the middle of the pitch was weighted to perfection. Findlay beat teammate Dorrell to ball, scoring Exeter’s 7th of the day. 3 tries in the space of 5 minutes killed off the game and assured the uni boys of all 5 points.

As the result was seemingly in no doubt, the game became frantic and very open. This allowed Seth Findlay to slide through and seemed to put his brother in for his second try, but was just caught. Isolated, the fullback was turnover, however, a rushed clearance kick fell straight to Beckerleg who launched the counter. Spread wide to James who shipped further onto Lilley who strolled in for his second of the match.

5 minutes remaining, there was still time for the hosts to force through a bonus point, and they made sure they gave themselves a chance.
Going back to the tried and tested method, James McFarlane scored a second try from the maul. However, it wasn’t enough.

Exeter soon got back up the other end, scoring a maul try of their own as Louie Gulley recorded his 2nd try of the season to finish off a dominate uni performance.

FULL TIME SCORE: DEVONPORT SERVICES 19 – 59 EXETER UNIVERSITY

After the disappointment of last week’s draw, this win gets Exeter back on track ahead of the rest of the Nat 2 season and the start of BUCS Super Rugby in a couple of weeks.

However, before we welcome Loughborough on the 25th we have one more match up in the national leagues against another newly promoted side in Macclesfield.