Loughborough hold on to get it right this time
LOUGHBOROUGH claimed their first ever BUCS Super Rugby Championship title, and first in any national championship for 14 years, with a determined 35-31 win over league champions Exeter.
In a repeat of last year’s dramatic 48-44 extra time thriller, Loughborough claimed deserved revenge as they held off a late Exeter comeback to resist the late drama that haunted them last year.
Exeter, who had lost just twice all season prior to the final, were denied an unprecedented third Championship title in a row, as well as an historic league and championship double.
The dominance of this Exeter side throughout the year highlights the gravity of Loughborough’s achievement: Exeter coasted to league victory, 15 points clear of second placed Loughborough on their way to a record 80-points final tally.
Loughborough, however, have endured a much more turbulent season off the back of last year’s final heartbreak, dropping as far down as sixth at points this year. Head coach Martin Webdale credits those tough times for their upset win. He said: “It’s that experience, being there before – we talked about being brave, I thought, especially that first half, first 20 of the second, we were really brave in attack.
“We’ve had 47 players play BUCS Super Rugby this season, so it’s not just these games, the big occasions, it’s being away from home on the dark nights in Swansea and Cardiff, those kinds of places where you’re picking up points that get you a home quarterfinal and semi-final.
“[Loughborough dropping to sixth] shows the quality of the league. Exeter were the standout team, but everyone underneath that from second to sixth could beat each other, it was that tight game on game.”
Given Exeter’s imperious quality all year, Loughborough knew a strong start was the minimum requirement, and they made the most of Exeter mistakes to lead 23-10 at half time. Charlie McCaig, who made his Exeter Chiefs debut this year, traded a penalty with Morgan Meredith before an Exeter missed touch finder and consequent overthrew gave Loughborough’s Chris Preen a platform to through the line and score the game’s first try.
Meredith added two more penalties – the latter shortly after a kick off sent straight out – either side of tries for each side as the game came alive in its second quarter. Exeter reduced the deficit through a maul try from the standout Louie Gulley his 12th of the season - but Loughborough responded quickly through a maul try of their own from Seb Smith with territory gifted from a clearance out on the full.
Exeter’s fast start to the second half was limited to one of many false dawns in the game when Loughborough scored twice to open an 18-point gap on the hour mark. Benjy Joseland had initially scored for Exeter, taking a scenic route on his way under the sticks, but Loughborough capitalised on poor Exeter set piece to finish an endbust to-end move with a Dan Eckersley pick and go.
Shortly after they were awarded a penalty try when Exeter’s Hugo Ellerby deliberately knocked on with a Loughborough overlap left begging.
In last year’s final, Exeter came from behind in extra time to clinch the title, and when Joseland completed his hat trick with a long range intercept try and a finish from a lovely Ellerby offload to make him the league’s top scorer, it felt as though the writing could be on the wall again.
However, with territory a rare commodity Loughborough fullback Elliot Gourlay intercepted inside his own 22. While he was caught by Ben Coen, the territory proved crucial as Loughborough emptied the tanks to keep their opponents at bay in the dying stages and secure a thoroughly deserved victory.
“I think that final three minutes of defence was the epitome of what we are as a group”, said Webdale. “Really tight, together, working really hard.
“To the guys moving on, they’ve worked really hard for three years. Mario Pichardie, the Spanish captain, Charlie Briers, Tom Miles, Reece Malone, these guys have all got really really bright futures.”