Exeter beat Bath to close in on leaders Northumbria
volleyed the Championship ball back into leaders Northumbria’s court on Wednesday night with a bonus point 36-28 win against Bath to close the gap to just one point at the top of the table.
It was no cake walk like prior years as Exeter came up against a Bath side who are a different proposition in 2018. Nasty in defence and adventurous in attack, they were unlucky not to collect at least a losing bonus point on top of their attacking one.
Exeter took an early 10-0 lead with a penalty try and a Ted Landray three-pointer, but after concerted tryline pressure, Austin Hay muscled over and Will Partington converted.
Mike Hains finished a wonderful sweeping backline move to reignite the home support but Partington continued his rich vein of scoring form when he sent a bomb into the night sky. Exeter spilt the ball and Partington cleaned up the debris to race home and then convert from the touchline.
Inspirational Exeter captain Simon Linsell crossed early in the second half, but Bath were unruffled. Charlie Dunbar was first smuggled across in an unstoppable maul, then Will Flinn produced some chip and chase magic to take the lead 2824. Linsell came to the fore again though and substitute Josh Pieters also dived over to clinch the victory. Cardiff Met’s clash with Leeds Beckett fell foul of the weather denying either side the chance to do battle.
Another traditional derby was taking place at Loughborough where they faced down their colour’s sake
Durham in a mid-table tussle.
The Palatinate got the scoreboard ticking first with an early Chris Johnston try but it was Loughborough who led at half time 12-5.
Forward power provided the platform for Joe Carolan to finish a nice move in the right corner and Matt Travers converted. And when Callum Watson, so impressive from the bench versus Met the week before dotted down, The African Violet were in charge.
A Sam Grahamslaw try increased the home advantage but Durham made for a nervy finish with an Elliot Manley reply. However, Loughborough held out and Durham were pipped once more 19-12. Nottingham Trent are beginning to find their groove but came out on the losing side away at Hartpury 22-14. Hartpury are the form side in the league but the new boys ran them close. Mike Ozdilli and David Williams married with the boot of Will Sutton put the away side in with a shot of a maiden victory but Hartpury showed their experience to close out the win. In an effort to make up lost games due to adverse weather, Trent were subjected to a three day turnaround, hosting Northumbria yesterday afternoon.
Miraculously they raced to a 22-0 lead in a sensational opening half. David Williams added a brace to his week’s tally and with the forwards rumbling over and Sutton kicking a penalty and two conversions, a huge upset was on the cards.
But the Men in Black completed yet another epic comeback scoring 31 unanswered points including tries from impressive Jake Elwood and an Aedan Moloney double. Dead-eye James Christie added six points with the boot and with that, resurrected them back to the summit in an absolute heartstopper.