Exeter in BUCS semi-final as Trent beaten

EXETER booked their place in the semi-final with a 41-26 win over Nottingham Trent on Wednesday, though the score belies a game that saw Trent push the top seeds hard.

The bruising encounter was played out on an artificial pitch with Topsham submerged and underdogs Trent brought the game to their esteemed opponents from the get go.

David Williams scored again for the men in pink, as did Jake Farnworth and Harry Graham (two), and the game was poised 29-26.

Exeter’s tries to that point came from a penalty try, captain Simon Linsell, George Gosling and Jack Strong but it was only when Gosling added a second and Dom Thorne crashed over the semi-final berth was secured.

Old foes Hartpury await the Devonians in a repeat of last year’s final after they ominously extinguished Leeds Beckett’s title tilt at West Park 29-10.

Hartpury have lost just once in 2018 and there is growing momentum and belief that means they are relishing the opportunity to turn over arch rivals on their own paddock.

Their victory was clinical. Will Crane and Luke Stratford both picked up a pair of tries with Victor Pisano chipping in with one. Sam Leeming converted two and it was more than enough to see off Beckett’s offering of a Harri Robinson try and five points from the boot of Conor Lloyd.

Cardiff Met are a good bet for the Cup, having won the same number of league games as reigning champions Exeter, only losing out on the title on bonus points. They saw off Loughborough at Cyncoed in an uninspiring affair 10-5.

Cardiff will face Bath as they sensationally beat

Northumbria 42-29 at Kingston Park.

Will Partington kicked five conversions, a penalty and put in a virtuoso performance from full-back for Bath as they ruthlessly punished Northumbria’s inaccuracies.

Oli Robinson scored twice with Will Partington, Harry Close and Levi Davis also going over for the victors Bath.