Durham do the double to delay Exeter’s march for title
EXETER’S apparent cake walk to the league title was rudely interrupted by an inspired
Durham completing the season double with a 2831 upset in front of 5,000 fans at Sandy Park.
Although Durham opened the scoring through Freddie Davies, it was Exeter’s half leading 21-5 at the break with tries from Andy Hamilton, Joe Elderkin and Sal M’Boge with Sam Morley converting.
The second half started with tries from Jacob Collin and Myles Rawstron-Rudd taking The Palatinate to within two of the home side. A Ralph Marchant try maximised by Morley gave Exeter breathing space but Durham responded immediately through Jamie Adamson.
Jack Hedley’s try on 76 minutes gave Durham the lead for the first time and stoic defence in the final play saw Exeter held up for a famous win.
Hartpury failed to capitalise on Exeter’s upset falling to Loughborough 14-13. A hardfought opening 40 saw the sides separated by just a point. Ervin Muric crossed initially for the visitors before Matt Edwards dotted down for Josh Lewis to convert and take the lead. A penalty on the cusp of halftime nudged Hartpury ahead.
Robbie Smith’s try on 51 minutes further stretched Hartpury’s advantage but it again went unconverted which proved to be telling. Max Hill barged over for Josh Lewis to convert and Loughborough led 14-13.
Over 20 minutes of defence followed as Loughborough held out for their first win in eight.
That win keeps the play-off pressure on
Cardiff who sit a point and a place above after defeating Nottingham
Trent 10-8 at Llanrumney. Relegation-threatened Trent took the lead with a converted try after 20 minutes before Cardiff clawed three points back from the boot of James Davies. In a nervy game the next score would be crucial and it went to Cardiff in the form of Freddie Barnes, converted by Davies.
Trent’s cause wasn’t helped by yellows to Alex Goble and Scott Hall as Cardiff secured victory leaving Trent 10 points adrift at the bottom.
Meanwhile Cardiff counterparts Met were involved in a humdinger at Leeds Beckett ending in a 29 all draw.
Beckett are the league’s form side but it was Met who kicked off with the swagger. Russell Bennett’s early penalty was the intent for adding two conversions to Andrew Nurse and George Gladding tries before Nurse bagged a second. Conor Lloyd’s penalty for Beckett briefly stopped the rot before Met secured the bonus with a try for returning Luke Northmore.
Beckett then mounted the most extraordinary comeback. Dan GrantAdamson was first to score, then Jonny Teague, before a penalty try put the unimaginable within touching distance. Jonny Keh’s try took them to within two points and Steff James held his nerve to seal the Herculean comeback.
Bath won a thriller against Northumbria 36-44 at Kingston Park.
The lead yo-yoed all night as Northumbria raced into a 36-20 lead with tries from George Wacokecoke (2), James Elliot, Tom Galbraith and Charlie Parkhouse and kicks from Josh Bragman. But Bath hit back through Ethan Hutt, Alex Nisbett, James Hadfield, Sam Elrick, Jacko Davies and Ed Rimmer in a win that takes them second.