Sat 9 Sep 2023, 14:00
Exeter University v Hornets 9.9.23
Hornets travelled to Topsham just outside Exeter for their first away match of the season in National 2 West and on the hottest day of the year really struggled against a very fit and young set of Students losing by 10 tries to 3 and just missed out on a vital bonus point.
Exeter with a player pool of 320 players and on the back of an intense 6-week training camp where all the players are aspiring to become professional rugby players were far too strong for Hornets in nearly all areas of the game but Hornets did have their moments and probably should of picked up at least a point with 4 tries but missed out by not finishing off when the chance was available.
In sweltering heat, the students started as they continued all game at pace and very accurate play and were able to put Hornets under enormous pressure and it wasn’t too long before they got their first try and Hornets knew it was going to be a long afternoon. Before the first 30 minutes had been played Exeter had scored 5 unanswered tries and had established an unassailable lead.
However, Hornets forwards were putting the students under pressure and had them stuttering and going backwards and after a series of penalties to Hornets a tap penalty set up a number of rucks and it was the veteran Alec Chase who was able to dab the ball down over the line to get Hornets off the mark. And the scores didn’t change up to halftime.
In the first 3 minutes of the second half Exeter had another 2 tries to their name and they weren’t going to let up.
Hornets now began to assert some pressure and the students were backpedaling and a scrum to the visitors on halfway Ayden Chenoweth flipped the ball to Dec Dorrington who found Ozzy James in space and he sped off to the 22 when confronted with the full back Dorrington was on hand to receive the ball to go over for a well taken try and Elswood converted.
Hornets now were enjoying some time with the ball and again some penalties conceded by the student and the ball kicked to the corner, a well-executed lineout and the forwards trundled up to and over the line for Callum Lane to score and Charlie Carter converted.
Now Hornets were just 1 try short of the bonus point and were desperately trying to get it when they were exposed and Exeter bagged some more including an interception when Hornets were about to score, the game then fizzled out and Hornets were exhausted and overheated and the chance to get out of the baking sun. Final score Exeter University 68 Hornets 19.
This will go down as a tough afternoon for Hornets and they will regroup at training and look forward to a normal rugby Club coming to the Nest next week in the form of Newport (Salop) instead of playing a university side.
