6 Oct 2016
Full house sees Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Rugby topple champions on opening day
The fixture provided a launch pad for the brand new league, which sees the country's top eight university rugby union sides battle for the BUCS title.
More than 3,000 fans witnessed an entertaining first half, as Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é established a 17-3 lead thanks to tries from Sam Pointon and Charlie Dockery, and a Josh Sharp conversion.
Exeter, who defeated Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é in last year's final to become BUCS Rugby champions, made a fightback in the second period, but the hosts secured a 20-11 victory, with Will Edwards adding the final three points.
Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é head coach Dave Morris said: “Exeter are a very, very good side and they stressed us and created challenges that we probably don’t normally face, but we made a great start.
"The BUCS Super Rugby has got the potential to absolutely fly; it’s a great brand of rugby and we’ve now got a format that’s pitching the best sides against each other. It’s going to be great for development and I think it’s something that’s going to really grow over next couple of years.”
Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é captain Isaac Miller commented: “I’m really chuffed with that. We said before the game that we wanted to get revenge for last year and so that was for everyone who’s been involved the last two years. There are still some bits to work on so we’ll come back stronger, but we’re just looking forward to kicking on with the season now.”
For the full match report, click .