Report: Bristol Bears U18s 38-17 Exeter Chiefs U18s

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The Cubs ran in six tries to overcome West Country rivals Exeter in a thrilling encounter at a blustery Shaftesbury Park, as Gabe Lacey (2), Aaron Tull, James Randall, Tom Gardner and Jimmy Halliwell all touched down.

The Chiefs threatened a comeback in the second half, but the conference topping Bears pulled further away in the last 20 minutes to book themselves a trip to Sixways for the final.

The Cubs started quickly with two early scores; Aaron Tull carving a deadly line through the Chiefs defence, before James Randall rumbled over from the back of a maul to make it 12-0 inside ten minutes.

 An Exeter try shortly after was followed by a Gabe Lacey double, crossing in the corner for both scores, securing the bonus point before half time.

The visitors struck first in the second half, but the Cubs rallied with Jimmy Halliwell powering over from close range, making the score 31-17.

The Bears scored their sixth try of the afternoon courtesy of Tom Gardener after a nice break from Fly Half Sam Worsley, taking the game out of reach for the Chiefs.

The win sees the young Bears top their Southern Conference, with the final taking place in two weeks’ time. 

15. Sami Hamid, 14. Gabe Lacey, 13. Isaac Campbell Wu, 12. Henry Hawkins, 11. Tom Ormsby, 10. Sam Worsley, 9. Pete Carter; 1. Billy Marsden, 2. James Randall, 3. Jimmy Halliwell, 4. Ollie Thraves, 5. Paddy Pearce, 6. Aaron Tull (c), 7. Charlie Cox, 8. Ed Harvey.

16. George Davey, 17. Louis Trevett, 18. Billy Moran, 19. Pete Paramore, 20. Tom Gardner, 21. Rhys Price, 22. Lucas Berti, 23. Jake Smith.

Tries: Tull 2, Randall 9, Lacey 19, 28, Halliwell 47, Gardner 62

Con: Worsley 9, 28, 47, 62