The RFU ACE League pits the partner state schools or colleges of all the Premiership clubs against each other in a National League of exceptional quality. Exeter College is affiliated to Exeter Chiefs.

The match was preceded by a minute's silence from both teams (and both second XVs on the adjacent pitch) to mark the third anniversary of the passing of Beechen Cliff player and Bath Academy prospect Max McMullen. Many of the current team knew Max well as a friend and teammate.

The game was destined to be a ‘game of two halves’ from the start, with a strong wind giving Exeter the advantage in the first half. They made good use of it, scoring three tries after extended periods of pressure, battering the Beechen Cliff goal-line defence. Crucially, though Beechen Cliff scored two tries themselves against the wind. Both were scored by young winger Toby Lock.

The first came while taking advantage of the referee's advantage call, whipping the ball wide to exploit an overlap. The second came following a well-executed strike move off a scrum, with Lock appearing on his opposite wing to go into the break 19-10 down.

In the second half Beechen Cliff scored first with a try from hooker Ben Stoaling after a well-constructed driving line-out. With both teams fully committed to winning the game, the intensity and physicality of the rugby went through the roof. Scores were exchanged as the game reached the closing minutes.

Wing Will Dudman slid in at the corner flag, with Raff Weston converting, to bring the game to a knife edge. Deep into overtime following a passage of relentless and bruising goalline attack and brave defence from Exeter, Kacey Pike eventually drove over under the posts. Weston had an easy conversion to win with the final act of a tremendous game, which was a fitting tribute to the memory of Max.

Beechen will now enjoy a couple of weeks of well-earned recovery and recuperation as they prepare for Stage 2 of the competition. The leagues are now re-drawn with the leading teams going into the top tier, to challenge towards getting to the ACE Final in December.

Beechen Cliff return to winning ways against Exeter College

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