Exeter College retain their title

By Mark Stevens
7/4/22

Exeter College retained their AOC Premier League title with a hard-fought 17-10 victory over Ivybridge Community College at Sandy Park.

Played out in front of a crowd in the region of 1,000 spectators, it was Exeter who were able to keep hold of their crown against their Devon counterparts.

With the Covid pandemic having halted the competition since 2019, the last time Exeter won it, the defending champions who fell behind when Ivybridge full-back Ed Slater fired his side in front with a penalty.

It was a lead Matt Shepherd’s side would extend when Slater landed a superb touchline conversion to a try from winger George Vertessy.

Down by ten points, Exeter needed to find a response of sorts and they did this just before the interval when centre Jeremy Tuima, younger brother of current Chiefs forward Rus Tuima, found his way over following a superb break.

Exeter started the second half brightly and pinned themselves deep behind enemy lines with some strong early carries. Having won a penalty, they kicked to the corner, setting up a driving line-out just metres from the Ivybridge line. It was heading for a score, until it was brought down illegally by Ivybridge, who could have few complaints when referee Steffan Anderson-Thomas awarded a penalty try.

The next 15 minutes saw Ivybridge camped in the Exeter 22. They pressed and probed from all angles, but they were halted by some spirited Exeter defence to keep the scoreline unchanged.

When Exeter finally worked their way up field, No.8 Charlie Parr spotted some space at the fringe of a ruck and ran in from 22 metres out, showing a turn of pace and a step to beat the full-back to the try line.

Ivybridge launched a number of attacks after further penalty infringements, which also saw Exeter lose back-row Pip Burton-Race to a yellow card. However, some more resolute defence and a turnover ball saw an end to the encounter with prop Tom Gulley able to show his footballing skills, kicking the ball into a packed main grandstand.

Delighted Exeter College Coach Jon Fabian said: “Before the game, we said that we wanted the players to enjoy themselves, be proud of the performance they’ve put in, and come back in to the changing room with a win. When we look back at the game, we controlled the early possession, but the Ivybridge defence held us out and we eventually found ourselves 10-0 down. It was vital to us to get on the scoreboard just before half-time and this was just what we did with a great move from the back line.

"In the second half, after we scored early on, the territory was controlled in a much better manner by the Ivybridge side, but the fight and character showed by our guys in defence was absolutely amazing. It was this aspect which ultimately decided the result of the game, after Ivybridge spent 20 minutes in our 22 without adding to their first half score line. Although we won the game, a huge amount of credit must go to the Ivybridge side, who played an unbelievable game and showed such huge character”.