BOURNVILLE 36 EXETER UNIVERSITY 52
Report by Billy Page
Exeter University blew the hosts away with a comprehensive first half performance to pick up the full 5 points at Avery Fields. Max Craven scored an early penalty but tries to Edward Volley, Elliot Young, Josh Thorne, Tirion Bowen and Dylan Power and the immaculate boot of Sam Walker had the hosts reeling. Bournville responded with 2 tries to hooker Jamie Harding that saw the hosts go into half time trailing 35-15.
Despite having the conditions in their favour in the 2nd half it was the visitors who struck first after a wonderful take from the restart by Edward Volley which had the hosts on the front foot from the kick-off with powerful No8 Thorne crashing over again.
Mitch McGahan dived over under the posts for his first and took a quick conversion but John Bailey crossed for a try which Walker converted. Young crossed again after a wonderfully worked passage of play before McGahan crossed for his 2nd and Bournville had the try bonus. Replacement Jonjo Fanning was the beneficiary of another Bournville forwards drive and Craven adding the extras on full-time for a final score line of 52-36.
Defensively disappointing and Exeter’s wonderful aerial ability coupled with Bournville’s own mishaps on regathering from kick-offs were ruthlessly exploited by the visitors. Too many missed first-up tackles seeing the visitors stroll through with the freedom of Birmingham. The forward set piece looked ever-improving and some wonderfully executed drives caused the visitors problems and led to Bournville scores.
3,2,1 for the day
1; Ryan Smeilus; 80 minute run out for the tight head and made his presence felt at scrum time and in the tight work at breakdown time
2; Sam Sheppard: a first appearance of the year after returning from military duties overseas and his work rate and energy around the park were a welcome sight.
3 and star man; Jamie Harding: two tries and scrummaged strongly in his 60 minutes on the pitch. A defensive rock despite those around him falling away.
Through the viewfinder
Can we kick off at 2pm in the Winter months please? I had to seriously tweak the last photo of Bournville’s final try to get a viewable image.
Please take a gander HERE for some disappointing photos 🙂 (not too bad with the old camera I have).
Sully – Bournville’s always friendly (and free) photographer
