Exeter University 34 Bournville 31
Bournville picked up two more bonus points on the road but were left to reflect on what might have been after they conceded 21 unanswered points in the first six minutes at Topsham.
Bourns ran in 28 of their points in the final 41 minutes of the match to maintain their record of collecting at least a point from every away game this season but the first win away from Avery Fields remains elusive.
In many ways this was a carbon copy of the defeat at Hornets last month as early indiscipline and errors were severely punished by the Exeter students before Bourns’ scrum dominance was rewarded with a penalty try on the stroke of half-time.
That score gave Bourns a toehold in the match and although Exeter kicked a penalty three minutes into the second-half the rest of the match belonged to Bournville.
The kick-off was delayed for 15 minutes due to a road accident close to the ground which meant Bournville’s team bus had to be abandoned a mile from the ground and the players had to complete the journey on foot.
But the squad still arrived in good time and although it was hardly ideal preparation it was not an excuse for the sluggish start in which Exeter lock Felix Starkey crossed after just a minute and wing Isaiah Akpovwa scored twice in a three minute spell.
Full-back Sam Walker converted all three before Freddie Morgan got Bournville onto the scoreboard with a penalty midway through the first-half.
But Exeter had the try bonus wrapped up after 27 minutes when centre Harrison Hall scored from a series of pick-and-goes with Walker again adding the extras.
Bournville’s penalty try, after two scrums were collapsed, came right at the end of the first-half and gave them confidence, after they almost overturned a 27 points deficit at Hornets, that all was not lost.
Walker got the first points of the second period before Evans went over from close range scrum after 60 minutes and Morgan found the target with his conversion.
Walker then kicked a second penalty – which made the difference between a draw and a home win – but Adam Shaw responded with a breakaway try and Morgan converted to set up a tense final ten minutes.
Evans danced down the wing to score his second try which secured the first bonus point for Bourns and Morgan’s successful conversion got the second but time ran out on the push for the additional three points.
*Bournville Blues suffered their first defeat of the season, going down 24-10 to Old Yardleians at Tilehouse Lane in Counties Three Midlands West (South).
Former Scotland international centre Alex Grove got a try on his seasonal debut and number eight Ben Harper also touched down from a lineout drive but the Blues had to settle for a losing bonus point and the first time they had dropped a point this season.
Alex Warner converted both tries and scrum-half George Ayliffe had a late try disallowed.
