EURFC kept up their 100% record in BUCS Women’s Premier South this season, but were made to work hard by a Cardiff University side that gave them a tough physical examination in a 35-0 Exeter victory.

Poppy Leitch’s side scored seven tries in all, with Katie Buchanan and Tessa Grainger scoring two tries each, along with further scores from Harriette Bond, Lizzie Hanlon and Abby Woollett.

So far this season, EURFC have made a habit out of fast starts. They nearly did so again here with little over a minute of play, as Tessa Grainger tip-toed her way down the touchline after a sweeping backs move.

Cardiff though, were alert to the danger, turning the ball over and securing a penalty at the breakdown, to half Exeter’s early charge.

In a physical match that saw both sides trade ferocious collisions, Exeter struck first through Katie Buchanan.

After a huge tackle from Lizzie Hanlon had dislodged the ball from the Cardiff attacker, the ball was worked wide to Buchanan, who stepped inside and burst over for the opening try of the match.

From that point on though, it was Cardiff who asked the biggest questions in attack, as they kept Exeter pinned down in their 22.

EURFC have prided themselves on their defence thus far this season and are still yet to concede a point. That record was kept intact at Cardiff Arms Park, although it looked to be under threat after 10 minutes, as Cardiff drove to within metres of the try line. Fortunately for Exeter, flanker Phae Leveridge popped up with a crucial turnover for her side, to halt the Cardiff charge.

Minutes later, EURFC were in for their second score of the afternoon, as Buchanan scored her second. It was an absolute gem of a try too, as Exeter’s handling dazzled in the Welsh capital.

Centre Ruby Wilkinson did superbly to juggle a ball above her head to hold onto possession, before fly half Hermione Titcombe worked the ball wide for Buchanan to race over.

This was by far the most physical examination Exeter have had this season, with Exeter having to pick their moments in attack.

They were doing so though in spades, with Lizzie Hanlon’s try just after 20 minutes highlighting Exeter’s power game, alongside the fast hands of the backs.

After Exeter had raced into the Cardiff 22, the pack kept it tight and, after a series of dominant carries, Hanlon managed to work her way over for the try.

That power play from Exeter seemed to stun the hosts and they were again back underneath their posts moments later, after a superb individual score from Tessa Grainger.

After being fed the ball in space by Lauren Hill, the winger burst through several tackles, before finishing sublimely in the left hand corner under pressure from the Cardiff fullback.

Cardiff though, were not going to lie down, and continued to ask questions themselves, with their fly half keeping play moving with a series of deft passes and kicks.

Exeter then lost centre Millie Whitehouse to injury just after the half hour mark, but there was to be one final score in the first half, as Harriette Bond added her name to the scoring charts.

Grainger again left Cardiff scrambling, after another lung-busting break down the wing. Exeter’s pack then looked to work their way over from close range, drawing in Cardiff defenders, with the ball then worked wide to Bond for a simple finish.

HALF-TME SCORE: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY 0-25 EXETER UNIVERSITY

Exeter emerged from the changing rooms for the second half with the same physicality that had seen them turn the screw in the first half.
A crunching tackle from Jess Thomas forced Cardiff to lose possession, with flanker George Fahey gathering the loose ball and racing into the Cardiff half.

The second-half though, was an altogether tighter affair, with Cardiff enjoying the same amounts of possession that they had had in the early minutes of the first half.

The hosts were starting to secure penalties at the breakdown too, as they worked their way up the field. Again though, Exeter’s defence stood firm, forcing a turnover.

It almost got even better for Exeter minutes later, as Titcombe and Wilkinson combined to set Katrina Hayes free up the wing, only for a last-ditch covering tackle to stop her in her tracks.

Huge tackles were continuing to fly in from both teams, but Exeter kept the peddle to the ground to secure their sixth score of the afternoon, as Tictcombe and Wilkinson again linked up, this time feeding Grainger to score her second of the afternoon.

Cardiff continued to show endeavour in attack but will perhaps be disappointed with some of their execution, as several stray passes stopped them building any sustained momentum.

With just over 10 minutes to go, Cardiff secured a penalty inside the Exeter 22 and opted for the posts; the ball cannoning back off the right-hand upright, before Hanlon managed to rip the ball in contact, to deny Cardiff a try.

The final say in the match though, would go to Exeter, as Harriette Bond’s persistence in the kick chase rewarded her side with a seventh and final try. The winger chased hard after a kick through from Grace Addison, to win the ball back for her side, before Hayes fed replacement Abby Woollett on the other touchline for a well-worked score in the corner.

Speaking at full-time, Ruby Wilkinson admitted that her side knew they had had a tough encounter.

“It was much harder than our other games. We’ve trained really hard all week, knowing that this one was going to be harder, so it’s really good to get the win,” she explained.

Wilkinson also acknowledged the fight her side had had to show at the breakdown but praised the efforts of the team and the dynamism of the backline, in ultimately securing another solid victory.

“At the beginning it was quite tough. It was a bit of a shock for us to start with, especially with some of the breakdowns but I think we really stepped up and it’s really good to get the win out there. We’ve got a really dynamic backline and back three, so it’s really good [to show that.]”

Next up for the side, is a return to Topsham, where they face Swansea next Wednesday, looking to keep their 100% record intact.