Cuppers glory for Exeter College’s men’s rugby team

Exeter College’s rugby team triumphed in the Cuppers Plate final this evening (5 March 2013), beating Somerville/Corpus Christi by 30 points to 24.

Exeter started strongly, converting a penalty in the opening few minutes and quickly following that with a converted try to open up a ten – nil lead. Somerville/Corpus fought hard to get back into the match, but Exeter’s defence was resolute. Another try saw the first half end 15 – nil to Exeter.

In the second half Somerville/Corpus’s strong bench started to make inroads into Exeter’s lead. The action was end to end, but it was Somerville/Corpus who more convincingly turned possession into points, scoring four tries to Exeter’s two, to pull the score back to Exeter 25 – Somerville/Corpus 24 with less than ten minutes remaining.

Exeter hit back with a brilliant chip and run try. A conversion might have put the result beyond doubt, but the kick agonisingly came back off the upright. Somerville/Corpus pushed hard to get the vital try they needed, but Exeter’s defence held to secure a fantastic win.