No matter the competition, games against your rivals always mean a little bit more than most. Its no different between England’s two premier university sides, Exeter and Loughborough.

After playing two consecutive sensational BUCS Super Rugby finals against each other, the sides most recently met at Topsham only a few weeks ago. Exeter came out victorious in that one, and wanted to carry that momentum over the African Violet coming into this week.

They started exactly like they would have hoped. It took just 5 minutes for Tom Burton to make the breakthrough. Fly half Sam Walker bounced of his man before delivering an inch perfect offload to his winger. It still wasn’t an easy finish for Burton who had to dive and reach to dot down.

Despite the good start the boys in green’s discipline came into question. 4 consecutive penalties allowed the hosts to march into the 22. Exeter dealt with the maul but Loughborough got the breakthrough a couple of phases later.

The continued to work hard and were rewarded a few minutes later. Sam Erskine winning the turnover and Walker converting the penalty to nudge Exeter back in front.

With the game on a knife edge and heading towards half time it seemed like we were in for a nerve second period. However, Walker had other ideas. His kick was misjudged by the Loughborough backfield and the ball was allowed to drop. Bouncing perfectly into the arms of the on rushing fly half, Walks skinned his opposite man on the outside to score. Exeter in front at half time.

HALF TIME SCORE: LOUGHBOROUGH STUDENTS 7 – 15 EXETER UNIVERSITY

Needing a big performance in the second half to get back into the game, Loughborough had to make an impact. However, it was the visitors who were first to react.

It took Owain Watts just 41 seconds to score the first points after the break. The prop was unstoppable from short range as he crashed through the defence to Exeter firmly in control of the game.

Exeter continued to pluck away and take points wherever they could. Walker knocking over another penalty to take his points tally for the day to 20.

With 25 minutes to go the hosts gave themselves hope as Easterby was carried over the line by his pack at the maul, scoring out wide.
Both sides struggled to get much going heading into the final quarter as ill-discipline continued to plague both teams.

Eventually Loughborough got their 3rd try through Jenson McInulty. The centre chased down a speculative chip to bring the gap on the scoreboard to just 4 points.

Things got worse for Exeter as Charlie Bell was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle in the next play. So, if the uni boys wanted to win this game they’d have to do it the hard way.

It started well as another monstrous penalty from Walker extended the gap to 7 points.

Loughborough threw everything they had at the Exeter line, but the defence held strong every time.

Despite the hard work though Loughborough drew the penalty and had a 5m lineout. It looked like the maul would go straight over but just a couple of meters out it was held, with the African Violet still in possession.

Fired blind, there was space on the wing for the try and Loughborough would have a kick to tie the game in the final play.

It was all on Ben Taylor from the touchline. The fly half stepped up, and with the Exeter boys rushing up on him, dragged it to the left and missed.
By the narrowest of margins had won the biggest rivalry in university sport. Cue huge celebrations from the boys.

FULL TIME SCORE: LOUGHBOROUGH STUDENTS 26 – 28 EXETER UNIVERSITY