Exeter College stormed to the British Colleges League title with a convincing 27-7 victory over the Sale Sharks Academy Side (Myerscough College) at Sutton Coldfield RFC on Wednesday (25th April). To be crowned British College Champions having beaten opponents such as Truro College, Coleg Sir Gar and Swansea College is a fine way to sign off what has been an extremely successful season for the College side and a very talented group of individuals.

It is seven years since the College were crowned the best Rugby College in England having won the prestigious Daily Mail Cup Final at Twickenham. The performance on Wednesday however, was deemed the very best yet, in what coaches Jon Hill and Chris Brown described as a 'near close to perfect performance'. Exeter raced into a 19-0 lead after 25 minutes starting the game with purpose and intent. Captain and Player of the Season Ben King raced his way to the try line from 30 metres following a line out move, for fly half George Meadows to land a touchline conversion. England Colleges Back Row King then doubled his try tally with a powerful burst off a maul after a neat kick to the corner from Meadows and an excellent line out from the forwards. Meadows added another touchline conversion.

Exeter then defended in their own 22 for a ten minute spell, before counter attacking from their own try line through England Colleges scrum half James Bath, and England Under 18's International Linford Brock. After a number of quick rucks, Exeter found themselves 15 metres from Sale's try line and prop Will Norton set up a maul, which involved 10 Exeter players for England Colleges fly half George Meadows to be credited with the try to take the score line to 19-0.

Sale responded with a converted try from impressive prop Conor McGrath to leave the score line 19-7 at half time. The introduction of flanker Paul Davis at half time added more of a physical presence in the College back row, and this seemed to be a key change as the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half, the impressive Sale side, bombarded the Exeter try line with wave after wave of attacks. The spirit and excellent defensive work of Exeter paid off, keeping their lively opponents out in what was a crucial stage in the match.

Exeter College finished the last 15 minutes the stronger of the two teams, where it was evident the College side had superior fitness and conditioning levels. This led to a number of try scoring an penalty opportunities. Fly half Meadows put in a long pin pointed pass to Flanker Davis, over the top of a rushing defence to put the game beyond doubt, and in the closing stages, Meadows added a long range penalty to seal the win and the British Colleges Elite League Title.

Exeter College has certainly had an excellent year on an individual and team level. Victories over London Irish and Truro Academies and taking bonus points off all the other academy sides played is a remarkable achievement for a side who often played with only two or three AASE players against a full squad of 22. To finish top of the Wales and West section of the BCS Elite League and to then win the British Colleges League via the play off, and to win the Devon Under 18's cup is tangible reward for all of the hard efforts and indicative of an impressive rugby programme.

On an individual level Linford Brock represented England Under 18's clubs and schools, and Ben King, George Meadows, Alex Priest, Will Norton, and James Bath all represented England Colleges Under 19's. On a club front Will Norton and Paul Davis were selected to play for the Exeter Chiefs 'A' xv, and those two along with King, Meadows, Priest, Brock and Back rower Will Hodgetts have all trained on a number of occasions with the Exeter Chiefs, benefitting from the input of coaches Ricky Pellow, Rob Gibson and Robin Cowling. The same seven have also trained with Plymouth Albion and King, Brock and Meadows are set to go there for pre season training with a view to next season.