Exeter are men’s Championship 2 winners! But the final day at Gloucester could so easily have been a story of Lancaster spoiling the party.
The title-clinching win Exeter needed looked a formality against the division’s basesment team, who quickly were 4-1 down. But this was the best Exeter could manage because, after that, it was Lancaster who demonstrated all the enterprise and spirit, claiming a narrow lead three times before Joe Davies brought relief to Exeter by scoring the goal that levelled it at 7-7 at the start of the last period.
Finally, Exeter stirred and goals by Kam Powell, Jack Cutting and Alejandro Marcos built a 10-8 lead. There was still just time for Lancaster to respond again – through Ben Giles – but Exeter held out for a 10-9 victory and the trophy was on its way to Devon.
Exeter head for Division 2 at the start of next season along with Hucknall, 17-8 winners against City of Bristol, and Cheltenham Spartans, who demolished Manchester Hawks 23-13.
Remaining Championship 2 teams go to Division 3, which will also include Croydon – qualifiers from Division 3 earlier this season – and the top two teams from the play-off tournament next month.
The title-clinching win Exeter needed looked a formality against the division’s basesment team, who quickly were 4-1 down. But this was the best Exeter could manage because, after that, it was Lancaster who demonstrated all the enterprise and spirit, claiming a narrow lead three times before Joe Davies brought relief to Exeter by scoring the goal that levelled it at 7-7 at the start of the last period.
Finally, Exeter stirred and goals by Kam Powell, Jack Cutting and Alejandro Marcos built a 10-8 lead. There was still just time for Lancaster to respond again – through Ben Giles – but Exeter held out for a 10-9 victory and the trophy was on its way to Devon.
Exeter head for Division 2 at the start of next season along with Hucknall, 17-8 winners against City of Bristol, and Cheltenham Spartans, who demolished Manchester Hawks 23-13.
Remaining Championship 2 teams go to Division 3, which will also include Croydon – qualifiers from Division 3 earlier this season – and the top two teams from the play-off tournament next month.
RSS Feed
