NTU fall to home defeat against Exeter

With the BUCS Super Rugby season heading towards the Christmas break at pace, NTU welcomed high-flying Exeter to Lady Bay with hopes of home victory.

NTU Rugby Union in action against Cardiff University

NTU Men's Rugby Union in action against Cardiff.

Photo Credit: 1962 Photography

Coming in to the game after a run of defeats against the likes of Durham and Cardiff Met, NTU looked to continue their good home form. However, it wasn’t to be as Exeter came out on top in a tough game for the pinks. The final score: NTU 15-28 Exeter.

Before the match, NTU sat eighth in the table, with both Leeds Beckett and Cardiff University showing recent up turns where a win was much needed. With a number of injuries depleting the squad, Head coach Alex O’Dowd made sweeping changes to the side that lined up at the Bay on Wednesday afternoon.

As has been the case in a number of matches this season, NTU went behind early on. Exeter picked the ball out from the breakdown and ran the distance to go over: NTU 0-7 Exeter.

With eleven minutes on the clock, Exeter went over once more as they extended their lead. NTU 0-14 Exeter.

The half time whistle blew with NTU looking a lot more comfortable and confident in the game. The score at the interval: NTU 0-14 Exeter.

Good work from the pinks was rewarded in the fifty-second minute when excellent play through the hands helped Tom Wootton go over in the corner: NTU 5-14 Exeter.

As confidence built in the NTU ranks, a lovely chip and chase from Ed Morgan put them through. The resulting phase allowed Tom Wootton to go over again. The kick from Craven was good as he pulled the scores close: NTU 10-14 Exeter.

Exeter kept battling and almost immediately grabbed their third try of the game: NTU 10-17 Exeter.

NTU continued to push hard and they went over once again with five minutes left on the clock. Almost straight away Exeter went down to the other side of the pitch and grabbed a fourth try to secure a bonus point, and the win: NTU 15-28 Exeter.

With a number of players making their first appearance of the season in BUCS Super Rugby the whole team can hold their heads high after a strong battling performance. The full time score: NTU 15-28 Exeter.

Next game: Northumbria University v Nottingham Trent University
Date: 19/12/18
Kick off time: 19:00
AWAY

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