Exeter edge Leeds to stay in contention at the summit

A SEE-SAW encounter at Topsham saw Exeter edge Leeds Beckett 24-19, missing out on a bonus point that could prove fatal in the end of season Championship reckonings.

Beckett struck first through a Jonny Teague try. The conversion was missed and as a result they found themselves 7-5 down when Max Himbury crossed and the inscrutable Ted Landray converted.

Kieran Davies made amends for his earlier miss with a penalty and when Harry Robinson raced away on 41 minutes the away side lead 7-13.

The lead changed hands again when Exeter were awarded a penalty try but two further Davies penalties put the visitors on the brink of a famous win. It was not to be though as the Devonians dug deep with Paul Schroter the hero.

Mid table Loughborough hosted title hunters Cardiff

Met in the first nationally televised BUCS fixture with the Welsh triumphing 18-24.

Weak Loughborough tackling allowed fresher Harry Johnston to wrestle his way across for the opening score. Points machine Tom Morgan converted and it wasn’t long before he was bisecting the posts again when breathtaking continuity play scattered the home defence, and Matt Marsh dived over.

Met could count themselves fortunate not to pick up a yellow card as Loughborough spent the remaining 25 minutes of the first bludgeoning their line but titanic defence meant they reached the interval 0-14 to the good.

Matt Travers and Morgan traded penalties after the break, but home substitute Callum Watson blew the game open when he showed pace and power on his way to a try that Travers

converted. The Archers responded via a Ben Williams seven-pointer and while Tim Bitirim’s fleet-footed try made for a nervous finish, but the Welsh held out.

Bath finally got the big win they’ve been threatening on Wednesday with a 50-25 victory over Nottingham Trent. Trent played some good rugby but their errors were ruthlessly punished. Charlie Dunbar, Jack Davies and Tom Doughty all crossed for the home side but Trent kept in touch through JJ Broberg and Harry Clemson scores, plus a Will Sutton penalty to leave the half time score poised at 21-15. The second half belonged to Bath. Miles Reid, Austin Hay, Will Partington and Jack Davies all dotted down and with Partington nailing six conversions and a penalty in total, Trent were left with merely a bonus to fight for. They achieved their consolation through late Alex Crocker and Harry Graham efforts but it was Bath’s night

Hartpury were left to rue first-half inaccuracies as Northumbria fought to a potentially season defining bonus point win in Newcastle.

Harry Wilson, Maliq Holden and Elias Caven tries gave the top three’s 2018 bogey team a shot at a third successive win. They led at half-time but the league leaders mounted an epic comeback to steal the game and five points at 29-19.

Two Yaree Fantini tries sandwiched Mike Walton’s score and with Josh Bragman slotting two kicks it was 19-19 heading to the finale.

Edward Bloodworth stepped up to score decisively and Jake Rodgers added the conversion and a penalty to deny the visitors any bonuses which they probably deserved.

Just two points now separate Northumbria, Exeter and Cardiff Met in the title race.