A Sensational Semi Final sends the side to Stonex!

The semi final of the BUCS Super Rugby league make the journey to Exeter we're only one team would make it through to the final at Stonex Stadium. The game was an intense battle where Exeter became victorious.

As the first whistle blew, the tone was set immediately from the get-go as the intense physicality was evident on the pitch. Bath whacked the first points on the scoreboard, as the scrum penalty gave them the penalty kick in front of the posts. Exeter were given the equal opportunity as a dangerous tackle against the hosts gave Charlie McCaig the kick. With the scoreboard equal with 3-3, the game was a level playing field for both respective sides. As time ticked on, Exeter needed a try, and they swiftly made their way into Bath territory. With an assist from Dylan Power, it was Player of the match Jack Forsythe, who drove over the line for the try. Charlie McCaig secured the extras, and the score stood at 10-3.

Off the restart, the visitors were eager to respond and off a penalty they formed the maul and drove over the line for the responding try. The conversion soared through, and the score was equal once again, at 10-10. Points were the way forward in this game, as an offside infringement against Bath gave Exeter another opportunity of a penalty kick. Charlie McCaig struck the ball well and added the three points to the hosts score. A dangerous collision in the air handed Bath a yellow card and Ben Coen nudged the ball out into a prime position for the line out. The boys held their position well and it was the mighty Seb Driscoll who went around the back of the maul for the try. Charlie McCaig delivered with his kick and the score stood at 20-10, with a couple of minutes left of the half. Off the whistle, Bath were eager to get their hands back onto the ball and off a scrum penalty, the gap was spotted and the ball was placed down. With the conversion added, the score was brought to a tighter stance with Exeter in the narrow lead of 20-17.

HALF TIME SCORE: EXETER UNIVERSITY 20-17 BATH UNIVERSITY

As the teams returned to the field, the crowd was raucous and hyped the Exeter side up for the next 40 minutes. The hosts got under the ball and rapidly began their phases into the opposition’s ’22. After patiently edging closer to the try line, it was Milo Hallam who reached for the whitewash for the try. The extras were secured, and Exeter extended their lead with 10 points, 27-17. Consistent discipline errors from the visitors gave Exeter another penalty kick and Charlie McCaig bagged another three points for the side. Off the restart, Bath were seeking revenge but a cracking turnover from Lucas Dorrell put the ball back into Exeter hands.

As the game continued, another infringement from the Bath side led to another three points being secured from Charlie McCaig, extending the Exeter lead further. A retaliation from the visitors saw them score the try, but the conversion was charged down by the rapid Jake Murray, which took the score to 33-22. With 6 minutes left on the clock, the Exeter side still had one more try left in them, and it was scored by none other than captain- Lucas Dorrell. Charlie McCaig’s kick took him to an 100% success rate in the match and Exeter had 40 points on the board. The last play of the game saw Bath power over for their final try with a final score of 40-27.

A cracking semi-final performance from both respective teams and Exeter look ahead to the BUCS Super Rugby Cup final, where they face Loughborough at Stonex Stadium on the 17th of April.