Students too good for Esher

THIS weekend’s preseason encounters presented National League coaches with a final opportunity to test their squads ahead of their season openers on Saturday.

- BEN JAYCOCK

National Two West’s Exeter University beat Peter Winterbottom’s Esher – newly promoted to National One – 22-12 in a statement victory.

Exeter University took the lead through Josh McAndrew’s maul try before Billy Kucera’s fancy feet made it two. James Botterill hit back against his former club for last season’s National Two East winners, but Kucera dotted down for his second.

Josh Thorne continued the Exeter scoring after the break with Jed Finlay dotting down in reply, but Gareth Elliott’s men secured the standout win.

Billingham geared up for their National Two North campaign with a fine 43-19 victory over BUCS Super Rugby side Durham University. The contest was a great expansive game from two teams who wanted to throw the ball around.

The home side edged the possession stakes throughout and capitalised early through the returning Adam Brown, who moments later turned provider as he offloaded to the supporting Ben Walton to crash over. Billingham’s set-piece then paved the way for Tom Campbell to break off a maul to score.

Billingham upped the pressure in the second half when Ryan Kirkbride barged over and replacement Ewan Lydiatt was next to score as he then peeled off a driving maul to score.

Another returnee was Luke Wilson who scored under the sticks after a great break by prop Harry Beadling.

Young scrum-half Jamie Lane caught the university off guard with a sniping run to score the last of Billingham’s tries.