Exeter retain title in astonishing final
Loughborough University………………..44
Tries: Leatherbarrow 10, Davies 31, Plunkett 40, Langdon 69, Rowson 79
Conversions: Titcombe 11, 32, 40+1, 70, 80
Penalties: Titcombe 36, 58, 89
Exeter University……………………………..48
Tries: Armstrong 2, Barton 12, Hallam 26, 76; Williams 50, Dunn 56, Byfield 65, Hallam 76, Cairns 96
Conversions: Barton 13, 27, 57, 97
Exeter retained the men’s BUCS Championship as they beat Loughborough in an extraordinary 13-try thriller at the StoneX Stadium.
With the sides locked at 41-41 after 80 minutes, Exeter won out in 20 minutes of extra-time as Tom Cairns, who scored for Exeter Chiefs in their Champions Cup quarter-final win a week and a half prior, grabbed the winner on 96 minutes with a sharp snipe from the ruck.
Exeter’s regular skipper Ollie Leatherbarrow was suspended for the final but was overjoyed to cap a perfect week, that had earlier seen him sign for Newcastle for next season, with more university silverware.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted, a bit speechless really. Just watching it go back and forth, I was hating it and loving it at the same time.
“We’ve worked really hard, we were unlucky not to win the league but that’s what we deserved today.
“It was heart in the mouth at some points, and celebrations at others, but I’m absolutely delighted we’ve got through it in the end.”
Leatherbarrow’s brother Teddy, captaining Loughborough, would have been heartbroken at how close his troops had gone, but could stand proud of his team and individual performances on the night.
Loughborough had made the worst possible start after his knock-on provided Exeter with a platform to give Niall Armstrong the first try on 90 seconds, but Leatherbarrow hit back almost immediately with a try of his own after breaking from a maul.
Loughborough fly-half Charlie Titcombe gifted opposite number Josh Barton an interception try from halfway to reinstate Exeter’s lead soon after though, and a trademark pick-and-go play gave Exeter a third try through Milo Hallam.
Titcombe nonetheless redeemed himself, as he was key in helping Loughborough launch a 17-point salvo in the last 10 minutes of the first half.
Winger Harry Rowson broke through to allow prop Bryn Davies to score a few phases later, Joe Plunkett drove over just before the break, and Titcombe had added both conversions and a penalty in the middle of the two tries to give Loughborough a five-point lead at half-time.
Exeter responded perfectly, full of intent to kill Loughborough’s momentum after the break, and with Leatherbarrow sin-binned for a close-range infringement they capitalised on their man advantage to level the scores through Jared Williams.
Exeter were soon back on the attack, and their decision to turn down a guilt-edged three-pointer was vindicated by Harvey Dunn’s score from a maul.
When Loughborough got their own three-point chance they took it through Titcombe, but were back down to 14 men moments after being restored to a full compliment as Ben Smith was yellow-carded for a late tackle on Barton.
And Kobi Barton-Byfield showed a stunning turn of pace to leave Loughborough needing to make up a two score deficit as he finished brilliantly in the corner.
Loughborough responded as they needed to, with Barton sin-binned for a deliberate knock on and Nathan Langdon soon crashing over from a maul.
But Exeter looked to have the contest wrapped up as Hallam added another close range score to make it 41-34 into the final two minutes.
Returning Josh Barton would live to regret his missed conversion however, and Titcombe would avoid the same mistake to level the scores in the final minute, after his magical long-range pass put Rowson in for a try that had originated from the winger’s exceptional break only a few phases prior.
In an extra-time period which saw both teams continuing with their intensity but playing more conservatively, Titcombe finally missed a penalty attempt into a strong wind, but took a closer-range opportunity to give his side a 44-41 lead on the stroke of half-time of extra-time.
But Cairns’ try for Exeter proved to be the only score of the last period, and they resisted one final Loughborough charge to spark wild celebrations after an epic victory against their rivals.
Image Credits: Izzy Poles and BUCS
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