Loughborough Students RFC closed an extraordinary season on Wednesday night, with a game unlike any other seen in the history of Loughborough Rugby history. Having already secured a first BUCS Super Rugby league title in with a final-day, bonus-point win away in Cardiff, Loughborough travelled to London to face Exeter in the final of the National Championship.
After an end-to-end affair, and a stunning display of nerve and fortitude from the African Violet, the game was sent into extra-time. Loughborough regained the lead in the first period, courtesy of 10 Charlie Titcombe’s ever-reliable right boot, but a relentless Exeter hit back with a late try.
After throwing everything back at the League runners up, Loughborough fell agonisingly short at the end of the game, narrowly missing out on yet another try in the match, which ended 44-48 to Exeter. This however, cannot detract from what was a stunning spectacle on the night, and throughout the season in general. Loughborough won BUCS Super Rugby for the first time in their history, with an outstanding unbeaten home record.
Martin Webdale’s side will look to build on this next season and go again for the double, but the magnitude of the achievements this season cannot be understated. When asked of the season, Webdale said;
“The 47 games that the 1st XV have played in BUCS Super Rugby and National League 2 West have seen 79 players have the honour of pulling on the African Violet jersey. To a player they done the shirt proud and helped enhance our reputation on the pitch. A sixth-place finish in National 2 West was a huge credit to Head coach Alex White and his team, with standout wins away at Redruth and at home to Clifton capping of a thoroughly pleasing season in this new league. Winning the BSR league will be a highlight that lasts long in the memory, the way the squad handled the increasing pressure week on week as the league campaign reached a crescendo was admirable, and to get a bonus point win to secure the title on the last day of the season away at Cardiff Met was outstanding. The cup knockout brought closely contested quarter and semi-finals at home. The final at the StoneX stadium will quite rightly go down as one of the great games of any season and possibly the best student final ever. We were on the wrong side of the result after extra time but displayed what is great about our club.
Those who are graduating leave our club in a better place than they found it and have created lasting memories and friendships. Those who remain know how hard they need to work to continue the success of the 2022/23 season.”
A true team effort, supported by a plethora of support staff, this squad has made Loughborough as a whole incredibly proud, and we look forward to seeing what happens next year.