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.
Denne historien er fra September 01, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 01, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Edwards gives Gatland a little to think about
A TERRIFIC effort from Ospreys should have seen victory and it was rough justice that high-flying Cardiff escaped with an undeserved draw.
Cowan-Dickie: I'm back and buzzing
LUKE Cowan-Dickie's journey back to the pinnacle of rugby is nothing short of extraordinary.
Clow keeps Rams in touch at the top
RAMS inward approach is paying dividends with the club involved in another title race thanks in part to free scoring flyer Zachary Clow.
Powell powers over to take Quins home
PLAYMAKER Kayleigh Powell powered past four defenders to score the eighth Harlequins try and narrowly edge out a spirited Trailfinders side to secure a late comeback win in a 15-try derby thriller.
Hathaway can follow Zam Skivington
GEORGE Skivington has backed Josh Hathaway to continue to go from strength to strength as the young winger attempts to follow in the slipstream of Louis Rees-Zammit and be a big hit for club and country.
Hybrid Hash will tie Borthwick in knots
THE description 'Hybrid Central Contracts' does not inspire confidence. Hybrid usually means a bit of this, and a bit of that — and 'Hybrid Hash' would be a more apt term for the RFU contracts given to 17 England players just before the autumn series slump.
Quins leave it late to power past Falcons
MARCUS Smith showed his class on Friday night, being an imperious creator and finisher as Harlequins romped to an emphatic five-try victory on Tyneside.
We need to see a complete shake-up
A NEW year and change is on the way across many aspects of the game, not least with the possibility of an SGM creating a complete change at the RFU.
Cool McBryde steals it for RGC
BILLY McBryde held his nerve to land a last kick of the match conversion to snatch a stunning 4139 win for RGC over leaders Ebbw Vale at Parc Eirias.
Century of highs for La Rochelle
AN IMPRESSIVE milestone at Stade Marcel Deflandre was reached last night, where La Rochelle hosted their 100th sell-out match in a row – either side of the period of pandemic restrictions – a run stretching back to January 2, 2016.
