Students too good for Esher
The Rugby Paper|September 01, 2024
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
Students too good for Esher

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.

This story is from the September 01, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 01, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE RUGBY PAPERView All
Ring fence has made English rugby go soft
The Rugby Paper

Ring fence has made English rugby go soft

THE most positive aspect to come out of the opening round of the European Cup was that, despite six out of the eight English clubs losing, it can get better and relatively quickly.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Battling Bath looking to revive cup campaign
The Rugby Paper

Battling Bath looking to revive cup campaign

JOHANN van Graan is braced to take on the Italian national team in all but name as Bath look to revive their Champions Cup campaign.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 15, 2024
We're happy to be the hunted, says Beckett
The Rugby Paper

We're happy to be the hunted, says Beckett

SARAH Beckett admits Gloucester-Hartpury have made an underwhelming start to their title defence but believes that's partly due to competition across the PWR being at an alltime high.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Heard takes charge to keep out Sarries
The Rugby Paper

Heard takes charge to keep out Sarries

GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY secured a pulsating victory over Saracens to leapfrog the Londoners in the PWR table.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Brave Lupus banking on Mo'unga class
The Rugby Paper

Brave Lupus banking on Mo'unga class

THE fourth season of Japan Rugby League One kicks off this week, with the tournament opening with the clash between Mie Honda Heat and Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo on December 21.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Darge: We're all set for Toulon challenge
The Rugby Paper

Darge: We're all set for Toulon challenge

SCOTLAND flanker Rory Darge believes Glasgow’s 2023 Challenge Cup final defeat by Toulon proved pivotal in their progression to URC champions last season as they prepare for a tasty Champions Cup reunion in the south of France today.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Slade: We have to be all in this together
The Rugby Paper

Slade: We have to be all in this together

THE importance of playing what’s in front of you rather than on reputation alone is not lost on Henry Slade, Exeter Chiefs’ most experienced Champions Cup player, as the Premiership’s only winless team prepare to take on sixtime winners and reigning champions Toulouse.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Powerful Tigers take Sharks apart with ease
The Rugby Paper

Powerful Tigers take Sharks apart with ease

LEICESTER made light work of despatching a depleted Sharks team back to South Africa in a predictable one-sided encounter last night.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Pollard: My future still up in the air
The Rugby Paper

Pollard: My future still up in the air

HANDRE Pollard is out of contract at the end of the season and Leicester hope a strong showing for the rest of the campaign will persuade the South Africa outside-half to stay.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 15, 2024
Pirates remove break clauses
The Rugby Paper

Pirates remove break clauses

CORNISH Pirates have lifted the break clauses in player contracts which had been inserted in the summer amid concern over the ongoing funding of the club.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 15, 2024