Queen's University, Belfast, completed their pool matches in the inaugural students' European Championship in Cardiff yesterday with a disappointing defeat. Having been thrashed out of sight by host university UWIC on Monday, they bounced back on Wednesday with a splendid victory over Edinburgh.

But the Irish side were very much second best when they clashed with the men from the English West Country yesterday.

With UWIC hammering Edinburgh 84-8, Cardiff go through to the semi-finals along with the other pool winners from Durham, Cork, and Toulouse. The draw for the semi-finals takes place at the weekend.

All that Queen's could manage yesterday were three penalties by out-half Gareth Harron. They then had to stand back and watch as Exeter swooped for three tries.

Flankers James Archibald and Matthew Parker each crossed for tries, and wing Paul Griffiths also went over. Full back Owen Ashton kicked two conversions.