EURL steamrollered a bewildered Swansea side to clinically set up a winner takes all clash with Glamorgan next Wednesday for a place in the last eight of the nationals. Despite new faces and absent veterans, Exeter used their pace out wide to create countless overlaps and score some scintillating tries. Pick of the bunch was man of the match, captain and Loose Forward Matt Wesley, who helped himself to a 32 point haul, consisting of 4 tries and eight goals.

Full Back and heartthrob Jack Seymour, a star for the whole season, scored the opening try with some clever feet and a nice step. Big Prop Jim Hirst followed soon after as he crashed over from a tap penalty at close range, despite the efforts of three Swansea defenders. Next, off a fourth phase ball, some clever thinking from Scrum Half Jo Collins, who bought the play blind, shipped a pass to centre Rob Lunnun who sweetly offloaded to winger Hugo Fildes to dive over in the corner. Ali Taylor, normally a second row but debuting at centre today, used his power and pace to gallop clear of the Swansea defence and step the Full Back

to bring the score to 22-0 with the goal. Further tries from Fildes and Seymour followed before the first two of Wesley’s efforts, to leave the half time score at Exeter 44 Swansea 0.

Exe kicked off the second half looking to practice their game plan for the following week. Wesley cantered over for a further two tries, one of which a beautifully worked set piece involving Collins and Stand Off Ollie Francis. A huge tackle from Gareth Tudor, the world’s fastest prop, was followed by the Welshman picking a fantastic line off Francis to dive over in the corner. Before the end there was time for Big Jim Hirst to step the Full Back again for his second.

Aside from the score, there were plenty of other positives to take from the game. 2nd Row Harry Nosworthy ran hard and fast all day, while his partner in crime Rich Hurtley was instrumental, along with Pete Russell, in keeping a clean sheet. Finally, Ed Latham’s tremendous strength and tackling meant he could take a lot of pride in his debut performance. This 64-0 victory gives Exe options and confidence going into next week’s crunch showdown.

Article by Exeter RL
15 Feb 2006