Match report 10/12/22

Saturday 10th December 2022

Exeter University 19 Leicester Lions 31

League Points 0-5

Exeter University 19: Tries: Sam Walker (21), Tom Gulley (37), Elliot Young (71); Conversions: Sam Walker (22, 38);
Leicester Lions 31: Tries: Chester Owen (14), Oli Taylor (28), Aston Gradwick-Light (41), Devon Constant (50); Conversions: Ben Young (14, 29, 41, 51); Penalties: Ben Young (64);

Lions’ comeback wins the day in testing game against Exeter University.

Lions travelled west for their first ever fixture against Exeter University. This was also Lions’ longest day away fixture. Exeter University are one of the strongest teams on the university circuit, so a tough game was expected. Also the chilling conditions at Topsham were not the best for open flowing rugby.

It was a cold and frosted pitch for the game at Topsham. The opening exchanges were well balanced between two sides eager to compete.

Lions experience proved to be significant, especially in the scrums and the tight play. After 14 minutes Lions No8, Chester Owen, drove over at the back of the scrum to open the scoring with a try, converted by Ben Young.

Exeter came back at Lions with their No10, Sam Walker, cleverly dashing over for a try, adding the conversion to level the score.

Again strong forward play by Lions allowed hooker Oli Taylor to rumble over for a try, with Young adding the extras.

Exeter prop, Tom Gulley, took a quick penalty to go over for a try, with Walker slotting the ball between the posts to level the score.

Another powerful forward move by Lions Aston Gradwick-Light allowed him to drive over for a try, with Young adding his third conversion to take the score to 14-21 in Lions’ favour at the break.

Half Time: Exeter University 14 Leicester Lions 21

In the second half both sides continued their determined approach.

On 50 minutes a powerful run by Lions winger, Devon Constant, led to their fourth try of the afternoon, with the ever dependable Young adding his fourth conversion to give Lions a bonus point.

On 64 minutes Young for Lions slotted over a penalty kick to take the score to 14-31, so Exeter would have to score at least three times to come back into the game.

In the last ten minutes Exeter score a deserved try by their hooker Elliot Young, to close the point’s gap, but could close it no further, with Lions running out deserved winners.

Full Time: Exeter University 19 Leicester Lions 31

A keenly well contested game, with Lions taking a five point win to keep them in contention leading the table in National league 2 West.

Lions’ Head Coach, Gareth Collins, commented: “It wasn’t our best, and certainly not our prettiest, performance this season, but we came with a clear game plan and the boys executed that effectively. We looked like a side who didn’t play last week and we left a few scores out there in all honesty due to our lack of cutting edge. Exeter are a really well organised team who like to play at high tempo so we fully expected them to test us which they absolutely did. Having said that our defence was pretty solid and eventually we started to dominate the space over the ball. We came here for 5 points and that’s what we’ve left with, so job done.”

Lions’ Chairman, Ken Whitehead, said: “It was a bitter afternoon standing on the touch line watching the game, but we were all warmed by the excellent performance put on by the team. Much credit to the lads for recent wins against Loughborough Students and Exeter University, two of the most skilful teams in the university sector”

Teams: 15-9, 1-8, Replacements:-

Exeter University: Harvey Graham, Ed Thomas, Zack Wimbush, Ed Volley, Jon Searle, Sam Walker, Jake Murray, Christian Freeman, Elliot Young, Tom Gulley, Tirion Bowen, Joe Bailey, Will De Boehmler, Luke Bralsford, Josh Thorne
Replacements: Tom Henderson, Archie Alexander, Ronan Kelly, Orson James, Kitan Ojo;

Leicester Lions: Alex WilHuckleberryson, George Watkins, Jamel Hamilton, Dan Martin, Devon Constant, Ben Young, James Stubbs, Tom Williams, Oli Taylor, Isaac Thompson, Ollie Tapscott, Will Ward, Simon Johnson, Johnny Murdoch, Chester Owen;
Replacements: Aston Gradwick-Light, Shaun Murray, Morgan Tunnicliffe, Luke Bouchier, Zach Bean;

Other local National League 2 West results were:-
Hinckley v Old Redcliffians – postponed
Loughborough Students 32 Redruth 33