Chiefs 43 - Titans 10
Big Bob
By Big Bob
October 25 2009
A good day at the office for the Chiefs and another day in the office for Big Bob who adds a review of the Rotherham match to go with his recent preview. Where are the other tribe members when it comes to writing pre and reviews? are they shy? the should be brave(s)!
A game of two halves.
In the first half we scored 17 points and conceded 10 – in part made up by a soft try.
In the second we scored 26 points and conceded none.
In the first half more of our attacks came undone with the last pass than they did in the second.
In the first half I sat in the stand, in the second I stood at the north west corner of the ground and saw the pressure that our pack applied before scoring at the fourth attempt – fair play to Rotherham for their defense. I also heard the roar of the crowd in the grandstand – and was impressed! (East stand you make a noise too!).
In the first half I did not know that I would be writing this review, in the second I did – please see Moorsman’s sticky posting about previews and reviews – the team on the pitch needs a team on computers!
It was certainly different at pitch level and I was rewarded by a lot of close up action – the team really worked for Richie’s second try (as they did for the rest I know) . Emyr Lewis made his presence felt in the corner too with an attacking tackle and then a few minutes later a try. His try saving tackle at the other end was too far away for me to see but he was clearly a man on a mission – his selection for the team/squad will be hard to ignore by Rob and co over the next few weeks.
I was mightly pleased that we did not kick possession away as much as we have done of late, the blind side being well used, especially in the first half.
You must have seen matches where, when the man of the match is announced you think “really?”, I don’t think anyone would argue with Richie Baxter’s award yesterday, I thought, if you will excuse the Americanism that he was “awesome”. 101 league tries for Richie is pleasing as is 100 games for Niel Clark, who joins an elite group of players (who the tribe need to review next summer when we have no games to talk about).
As mentioned in the preview, Rotherham are no pushovers and so the result is, in my opinion a very good one for Exeter. I note from Nigel Walrond in today’s Independent that the Titans lost three players to food poisoning in the previous twenty four hours to the match, so if it were not for bad hygiene the score could have been a little closer.
To conclude, the players will have a lot to look at tomorrow when the watch the video analysis of the game but the viewing will be a mixture of positives as well as areas for improvement. I am just looking at the fixtures until March – the list if opponents is fearsome but the players are up to the job if they play like they did yesterday (well in the second half!) - good luck fellas and thanks for yesterday.
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Strange game yesterday, silly mistakes made a mess of the first half but still some great pieces of play.
Richie Baxter was outstanding again and was justifiably MoM. It looks like giving up the captaincy has really freed him up.
Haydn looked to be causing a real nuisance of himself around the scrum but he'll have to watch out for Budge who clearly fancies himself as scrum-half
I thought Josh looked very steady and Emyr looks like he's on fire this season. Both offer good attacking options from deep and with Sean Marsden due back soon there's plenty of competition for the 15 shirt.
As for Matt Jess... tremendous speed and line of attack, just great to watch.
P156...COME ON YOU CHIEFS..
..CHIEFS....CHIEFS....CHIEFSQuote:Is there anybody else out there wondering why Dollman and Cornwell and ahead in selection to Bedford and Mackenzie?
Certainly is.
Paul MacKenzie was excellent for us last season... he scored tries almost every game he played in, and picked gaps superbly.
Conversely, Rennie's had more than enough chances to prove himself in the time he's been here, and has NEVER consistently delivered. I really don't get why he keeps getting selected.