All Square in Battle of Exeter Sportsmen

It proved honours even in Exeter's own version of celebrity 'Ready, Steady Cook' between the Chiefs rugby stars and their footballing counterparts at City.

In celebration of the opening of The Room Works, a brand new kitchen and bathroom showroom based on Alphinbrook Road, rivals players were pitted against each other to make a starter, main course and dessert under the watchful eye of Austin Gosling, Head Chef at On the Rocks restaurant in Torquay.

Kicking off proceedings, Chiefs' scrum-half Will Chudley got his team - which also included team-mates Damian Welch and Haydn Thomas - off to a flying start, defeating City rival Craig Woodman in making the crab cake starter.

City levelled immediately, though, as goalkeeper Christy Pym’s lamb dish was chosen ahead of Welch by the watching audience.

Going into the final round on level terms, it put the pressure on City defender Jordan Moore-Taylor and scrum-half Thomas to make sure their chocolate fondants and handmade honeycomb were perfect.

Once the final whistle blew, however, Austin couldn’t decide a winner, opting for a draw and a potential replay in the future.

As well as the cook-off, there was also a charity angle to the evening with a signed Exeter City football, signed Chiefs shirt, two The Room Works chopping boards signed by all players involved in the cook-off, a spa weekend and a hot air balloon ride being auctioned off by Chiefs, England and British Lions star Geoff Parling and Mark Jenkins, Head of Commercial at Exeter City.

In the end a fantastic £555 was raised which will be split between the Exeter Foundation, the official charity of the Chiefs, and Exeter City Football in the Community.

Mark Mogford, The Room Works Showroom Manager, commented: “It was a fantastic evening and we’d like to say a big thank you to players from the Exeter Chiefs and Exeter City for getting involved and everyone that joined us for the evening helping to raise a fantastic amount of money for two great causes.

“The Room Works is a brand new concept and our Exeter showroom is the first to launch. We’re extremely proud of what we have achieved and look forward to welcoming customers through the door.”

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