University of Exeter drop further down National table after defeat at Clifton

UNIVERSITY of Exeter dropped down to fifth in the National Two West table following 52-24 reversal at Clifton.

The game went tit for tat virtually up to the hour mark with the Students 24-19 up with the last quarter just around the corner.

The Bristol side put two converted tries on the board in the space of four minutes and killed the game stone dead with three more scores between the 71st and 77th minutes.

Clifton are now certain of third place in the final standings behind champions Dings Crusaders and runners-up Luctonians.

With one round of fixtures to go the Students dropped from fourth to fifth as Old Redcliffians defeated doomed Dudley Kingswinford to go past them.

The University had to play catchup rugby in the first half after going 14-3 down in the opening 20 minutes. Jay Evans and James Tayler went through for Clifton. Luke Cozens converted.

Tries from Ewan Green and Connor Byrne, both converted by Jack Park, opened-up a 17-14 interval lead.

A score each in the 10 minutes after the break – Byrne for the Students on the end of a chip ahead – left the visitors 24-19 up. That was as good as it got.

Tries from Marcus Nel and Tom Hatch, both goaled by Cozens, shunted Clifton into a 33-44 lead.

With time ticking down there were further Clifton tries for Will Owen, Tom Doherty and Tayler, plus two more conversions, which flattered the margin of victory.

Exmouth lost to Brixham 44-39 on the Imperial Ground in a fastand-furious Devon Senior Cup seme-final first leg.

The Fishermen led 27-19 at the end of a see-saw first half and were never behind again in the game. Exmouth briefly got as close as 30-29 down.

With just five points in it there will be everything to play for in this Saturday’s second leg at Astley Park.

“I said to the lads in the dressing room after the match that this is just half time and there is plenty more to do,” said Adam Thomas, the Brixham coach.

Roger Holman, the Exmouth team manager, agreed. “Five points is so close we have a great chance,” he said.

“You can tell from the score there were plenty of missed tackles, but it did make it an open game.”

Holman felt Exmouth were unfortunate not to benefit from a few decision that could have changed the outcome of the game.

“Brixham gave away four scrum penalties on the trot, but there was no yellow card, which is what you would expect,” said Holman.

Exmouth points came from try scorers Jake Inglis, Nick Headley (two), Dave Bargent and Chris Gibbings. Gareth Roebuck took care of the kicking.

Brixham’s try scorers were Joel Ashworth, Matt Crosscombe (3), Louie Drennan and Kai Alton. Mitch Pinkus hit four conversions and two penalties.

Holders Devonport Services are already through to the final after last-four opponents Ivybridge withdrew from the competition.

Crediton parked -up their selection issues for 80 minutes to run out 33-29 winners over Topsham in a lively Devon Intermediate Cup semi-final first-leg on the Blagdon.

First-team regular Ollie AveryWright got married on Saturday and his guest list included a clutch of his team-mates.

Sidmouth are already through to the competition final as they were handed a walkover by Newton Abbot, who could not raise a side for last Saturday’s semi-final.

Honiton hit the road to Newquay this Saturday in the second round of the Papa Johns’ South Shield competition. The Ton were due to host Bodmin last Saturday, but that game was called off by the Cornish club due to problems raising a team.