Exeter College Rugby goes from strength to strength

PRESS RELEASE

Exeter College Rugby goes from strength to strength

Exeter College 1st xv remain unbeaten in the British Colleges Elite League, and are now just one win away from automatic qualification for the British Colleges Semi Finals, following their convincing 29-6 victory over Swansea College. For the forth BCS Game in a row, Exeter did not allow their opposition to cross their try line, and managed 5 tries themselves through impressive centre Jack Talbot, winger Justin Southam, Back Row Dean Folland, Captain and back rower Ben King, and Full Back Ollie Cave. Fly Half George Meadows managed two conversions in difficult playing conditions.

Exeter dominated in the tight and loose, opening the scoring with a 40 metre solo effort from winger Justin Southam, following a strong run in the centre from man of the match Talbot. Talbot then crossed himself after a line break from centre Jamie Briant. Swansea responded with two long range penalty attempts before half time following offences at the ruck, to see a half time score of 10-6 in Exeter’s favour.

In the second half, Exeter used the wind and slope to their advantage, and played a mature territorial game. Back rower Paul Davis came off the bench and made a number of clean line breaks allowing Full Back Ollie Cave to cross, and Meadows to add a touchline conversion. Ben King scored a trademark catch and drive try to put the result beyond doubt with fifteen minutes to go, following a 15 metre drive by the Exeter forwards.

In the latter stages, Dean Folland added another score, with Meadows converting, to further enhance Exeter’s position at the top of the Elite League table.

It has been an excellent week for Exeter College rugby following on from the news that following a successful trial at the weekend, four players from the 1st xv squad have just been selected in the England Colleges squad for the International Programme after Christmas. Captain and back five forward Ben King, Prop Will Norton, Back Rower Paul Davis and Fly Half George Meadows have all been included.

Exeter Chiefs and Exeter College Partnership Co-ordinator Dom Caton commented “All four players have made huge improvements in their rugby development, showing the high levels of commitment and drive required to play at this level and above. Paul Davis and Will Norton have benefitted greatly from the input and training received at Exeter Chiefs and prove to be exciting prospects for the future. The opportunities for these players to develop their rugby is ever increasing and achievements such as this help to progress their rugby even more”.