EXETER UNI 19 – 38 LUCS
A GREAT BONUS POINT WIN ON THE ROAD
Exeter University RFC vs Luctonians RFC
Saturday 27th September 2025 – Topsham Sports Ground
Match Report by Geoff Vickress
An early season visit to the students of Exeter University was always going give the boys a tough challenge, this as the Uni teams will not have started their BUC’S University season yet, so many of their more or most talented players would or could be available for their National Two campaign. However the Black and Whites, off the back of a couple of excellent winning results, went to Exeter full of confidence and gained a great bonus point win on the road.
Exeter struck first and were full of purpose early doors when, after only 4 minutes, their impressive No9 George Newman, an England U18 cap, scooted through to dot down; converted by Mills. The home side were certainly explosive and quick, and kept up their momentum when Newman wriggled through Lucs’ defence for his second; Mills converting, to lead 14-0 after only 13 minutes.
Impressive for Lucs all game with his running, Rob Aikman nearly reduced affairs shortly afterwards in what was Lucs’ first foray into the Students red zone. However, it wasn’t until the 23rd minute that Lucs chirped in with their first points, when Caleb Montgomery charged down a clearance kick deep in the Exeter red zone and pounced first to score for Lucs. A difficult conversion was missed by Tom Jones, and the scoreline was now 14-5.
Prolific try scorer from the driving maul, saw Lucs captain Ben Link reduce affairs near the half hour, when he was driven over; Jones converting for 14-12 on the board.
Lucs lost James Wheeler to a yellow after 34 minutes, when he was adjudged to have lead with his elbow when at full speed into a tackle and adjudged as dangerous play. From the ensuing line out, a well worked move saw James Boylan score; conversion missed but a 19-12 lead for the home side.
It was to be the last scoring opportunity for the students as, apart from one or two opportunities in Lucs 22, throughout the remainder of the game they didn’t look like scoring, despite plenty of endeavour.
Exeter were found guilty regularly by the referee for penalty offences, and were warned on a couple of occasions. It was from one of these infringements that Tom Jones kicked what is an accustomed deep kick to the opponents 5mtr line, where the Lucs line-out and maul was again superb, allowing Owien Harriott-Davis to crash over. The conversion was missed, but the scoreline reduced to 19-17 at half time.
Half Time Score
Exeter University RFC 19 – 17 Luctonians RFC
There must have been extra vitamin C in the oranges for Lucs at half time, as they weathered an early storm from the students who, despite possession, didn’t look to really trouble the Lucs, apart from George Bennet having to make one superb try saving tackle early in the half.
On 50 minutes, another Tom Jones kick to touch saw Ben link add to his already impressive try tally, when he rolled over the line to give the Black and Whites the lead; Jones converting with a drop kick, as the ball kept falling off the tee, for a 19-24 lead.
Ellerby, for the Students, then committed the cardinal sin of taking Charlie Grimes out in the air, his yellow seeing the home side down to 14 players. Lucs continued to exert pressure and from a dominant scrum, taken in front of the posts, Jack Goodwin stole away off the back to dot down; TJ converting for a 19-31 lead.
Arde was carded on the hour for tackling on the floor for the students, and was given a his first yellow card and, although they were numerically challenged, they held firm despite Lucs pressure. Lucs made changes late in the game bringing on the bench and were unfortunate not to add to their tally when over the whitewash on a couple of occasions only to be held up or penalised in build-up. Arde received his second late in the game for taking the unfortunate Charlie Grimes, again off the ground.
With the last play having been announced by the referee, who himself had a fine game, the marauding man of the match, Rob Aikman, scored from close in after a move he started on half way, and the scoreline reflected Lucs dominancy, Jones converting for a 19-38 away victory.
Full Time Score
Exeter University RFC 19 – 38 Luctonians RFC
The boys are back at home this weekend playing Hornets, who enjoyed a significant victory at home themselves last week against Cinderford. Should be a good one, look forward to seeing you there.