Loughborough S….38
Exeter Uni……………. 31
LOUGHBOROUGH Students avenged their November defeat to Exeter University in a thrilling 11-try contest.
The hosts came under immense pressure in the initial exchanges and were unable to cope with Exeter's ferocious line speed.
The visitors raced into a 14-0 lead in the opening ten minutes after Dylan Power scored two opportunistic tries.
Loughborough managed to steady the ship and grew into the game, grabbing tries through Archie Kean and Ed Harvey to cut the deficit to five at the break.
Loughborough upped the intensity at the start of the second half, scoring through Anthony Pedlar.
Nicholas Jennings got the try of the match to extend the hosts' lead, charging in from 30 metres out with Exeter defenders hanging on for dear life. Jennings' second try nine minutes later threatened to take the game away from Exeter, but they refused to give in.
The teams exchanged tries in the final quarter – Jack Kinder for the hosts and Robert Gordon for Exeter – and the game was in the balance up to the final whistle.
Sol Moody's late try ensured Exeter returned home with two losing bonus points,which was the least they deserved.
TEAMS
LOUGHBOROUGH STU-DENTS: Peppitt, Kinder, Kean, Cross, Temperley, Taylor, Bryan, Williams, Bell, Westmacott, Pedlar, Jennings, McKibben, Peart-Smith, Harvey Replacements: Smith, Lamprell, Tandoh, Fisher, Mcinulty EXETER UNI: Ellerby, Byrne, Power, Allison, Ridl, Park, Potter, Watts, Moody, Alexander, Boylan, Cunningham, Bowen, Kelly, Triggs Replacements: Baldry, Reeves-Hall, Gordon, Skinner, Adedeji
REFEREE: Peter Connor ATTENDANCE: 472
Star man Nicholas Jennings -Loughborough
