Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Moorsman
By Moorsman
May 3 2010
Exeter Chiefs looking forward to another 'pressure' game v Bedford Blues.
Semi-Final Preview
Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues 
Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues We have yet another pressure match to look forward to as Bedford Blues journey to Sandy Park for the winner takes all Championship semi-final. Unfortunately(?), the 'all' in question is the chance to have 2 more pressure matches to see who gets to join the Prem will. Thankfully it looks like the playing side is all (LOL) we have to worry about because the Club have been covering all the requirements, even down to the supply of a defibrillator, purchased with the help of a generous donation from:-
The Chiefs haven't lost to the Blues at home in 10 seasons and there are only 4 games with 1 score difference, 2 at the County Ground and 2 at Bedford. Since moving to Sandy Park the Chiefs have won all matches with more than 3 scores in the final total.
So, we look forward to welcoming Bedford Blues and hopefully a good number of their passionate supporters, which with the increasing number of Chiefs supportes should produce an 'electric' atmosphere at Sandy Park (ticket sales). The Chiefs average home score for the 3 play-off matches is 44-10 whilst Bedford's away results have an average of 21-23 but there is an awful lot more to play for in this game. The side that has the right game plan and can see it through should come out on top. Of course this doesn't make any allowance for 'lady luck' etc. Bedford's recent performance at Bristol shows how effective they can be given the opportunity. However the Chiefs defence has given very little away, averaging just over 14 points/game throughout the play-offs.
This table shows the play-off results and club positions after the 'league' element.
This table shows the play-off results and club positions after the 'league' element.
| Play-offs | Home | Away | ||
| Bedford Blues (5th) | F | A | F | A |
| Cornish Pirates (5th) | 42 | 18 | 18 | 22 |
| Bristol (1st) | 17 | 16 | 32 | 41 |
| Plymouth Albion (8th) | 35 | 19 | 10 | 9 |
| Points Total | 94 | 53 | 64 | 68 |
| Exeter Chiefs (2nd) | F | A | F | A |
| Nottingham (5th) | 53 | 10 | 9 | 20 |
| Doncaster (7th) | 51 | 15 | 21 | 19 |
| London Welsh (3rd) | 32 | 6 | 15 | 16 |
| Points Total | 136 | 31 | 45 | 55 |
Many Chiefs supporters (myself included) have an impression that Chiefs v Blues is usually a close fought match with little to separate the teams in the scoreline. I thought I'd take a look at the stats and see whether this is really the case?
League Games
| Season | Home | Points Diff | Away | Points Diff |
| 00/01 | 39-13 | 20 | 11-33 | 22 |
| 01/02 | 18-13 | 5 | 36-27 | 9 |
| 02/03 | 28-12 | 16 | 23-32 | 9 |
| 03/04 | 21-10 | 11 | 47-24 | 23 |
| 04/05 | 42-21 | 21 | 20-39 | 19 |
| 05/06 | 26-23 | 3 | 28-13 | 15 |
| 06/07 | 35-10 | 25 | 22-10 | 12 |
| 07/08 | 27-6 | 21 | 14-12 | 2 |
| 08/09 | 40-21 | 19 | 23-26 | 3 |
| 09/10 | 42-19 | 23 | 11-20 | 9 |
The Chiefs haven't lost to the Blues at home in 10 seasons and there are only 4 games with 1 score difference, 2 at the County Ground and 2 at Bedford. Since moving to Sandy Park the Chiefs have won all matches with more than 3 scores in the final total.
Cup Games
| Season | Cup | Score | Points Diff |
| 04/05 | Powergen | 18-23 | 5 |
| 05/06 | EDF Trophy | 35-37 | 2 |
| 06/07 | EDF Trophy | 13-13 | 0 |
| 07/08 | EDF Trophy | 12-11 | 1 |
The Chiefs won the drawn match on 'away'team' rule, which means there are 2 wins apiece all within 5 points!
I know all these results are history and as the saying goes 'there are lies, damn lies and statistics' but sometimes the best indicator of future activity is that which has gone before. Given all of the above I'm still expecting a close encounter with the Chiefs coming out victorious.
Bring on the Blues and Come On You Chiefs.....
I know all these results are history and as the saying goes 'there are lies, damn lies and statistics' but sometimes the best indicator of future activity is that which has gone before. Given all of the above I'm still expecting a close encounter with the Chiefs coming out victorious.
Bring on the Blues and Come On You Chiefs.....
Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: thechiefstribe.com (IP Logged)
Date: 03/05/2010 23:48
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Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: Exeforever (IP Logged)
Date: 04/05/2010 08:30
At the risk that past performance is no guaranteed guide to future happenings, I looked at Bedfor and Exeter's comparative records against all the other clubs during the regular season and Exe did better than Bedford in all except the Plymouth results. either we had 2 wins to Bedford's one or less or where both clubs had identical results we had the better aggregate score over both games and, of course we did the double over Bedford in the league though they did bring a weakened side to SP.
Since the form book from the regular season has been borne out in the playoffs we must hope that continues but in a one off game anything can happen, the most important announcement may be the name of the ref.
Since the form book from the regular season has been borne out in the playoffs we must hope that continues but in a one off game anything can happen, the most important announcement may be the name of the ref.
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: chiefswatcher (IP Logged)
Date: 04/05/2010 10:03
Quote:Exeforever
<snip>
Since the form book from the regular season has been borne out in the playoffs we must hope that continues but in a one off game anything can happen, the most important announcement may be the name of the ref.
very true, but unfortunately next saturday also sees a full programme of premiership matches kicking off at 15:00 so what chance of a prem ref? our games have always seemed to be better this season when they have come down to the championship.
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: bandit boy (IP Logged)
Date: 04/05/2010 11:35
at least the pitch will be level!
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: Big Tom Tom (IP Logged)
Date: 04/05/2010 11:44
If we do make it through to the Final how will the order of the home and away games be allocated?
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: Wyn (IP Logged)
Date: 04/05/2010 12:07
The finalist with the best record in the play off groups will decide the order of the two legs.
That is currently Bristol, should they beat London Welsh on Friday night.
That is currently Bristol, should they beat London Welsh on Friday night.
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: Exeforever (IP Logged)
Date: 04/05/2010 12:46
Assuming that the Prem takes 6 refs and 6 potential refs as senior TJs that still leaves 1 to do our game though it would presumably be one of Doyle or Tutty who are the two in development.
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: Chief in exile (IP Logged)
Date: 04/05/2010 18:51
Even though I think we will win. Bedford's best team out on hard ground are a different proposition. We have all the pressure they have nothing to lose. Think it could be interesting with us winning by 10 points.
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: fatheralice (IP Logged)
Date: 04/05/2010 19:14
Quote:The finalist with the best record in the play off groups will decide the order of the two legs.
That is currently Bristol, should they beat London Welsh on Friday night.
As in they choose if they want to play at home first or second??
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: Kilo5 (IP Logged)
Date: 04/05/2010 19:26
Yup!
Living the dream
Supporting The Chiefs in the AP
Living the dream
Supporting The Chiefs in the AP
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: Moorsman (IP Logged)
Date: 04/05/2010 20:02
I'm hoping we do get a 'Prem' referee or at least the equivalent because the Chiefs have performed really well when that's been the case.
Just take the 3 home play-off games as examples:-
Chiefs 32 London Welsh 6 - referee Keith Lewis
Chiefs 51 Doncaster Knights 15 - referee David Rose
Chiefs 53 Nottingham 10 - referee Sean Davey
Just take the 3 home play-off games as examples:-
Chiefs 32 London Welsh 6 - referee Keith Lewis
Chiefs 51 Doncaster Knights 15 - referee David Rose
Chiefs 53 Nottingham 10 - referee Sean Davey
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: 50pointer (IP Logged)
Date: 04/05/2010 20:10
As long as its not Llyr Aprg? you know, thingy, the Welsh one.
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: ChaderExe (IP Logged)
Date: 04/05/2010 22:01
Always blaming the referees before a ball has even being kicked, is this a case of get our excuses in early?
The boys need to play the game they know they can play and if they have the ball 90% of the time then it will only be them making mistakes? I dont fink so!!
Sounds like a Graham Taylor moment!
[">www.youtube.com]
The boys need to play the game they know they can play and if they have the ball 90% of the time then it will only be them making mistakes? I dont fink so!!
Sounds like a Graham Taylor moment!
[">www.youtube.com]
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: Exeforever (IP Logged)
Date: 05/05/2010 08:51
Quote:ChaderExe
Always blaming the referees before a ball has even being kicked, is this a case of get our excuses in early?
The boys need to play the game they know they can play and if they have the ball 90% of the time then it will only be them making mistakes? I dont fink so!!
Sounds like a Graham Taylor moment!
[">www.youtube.com]
I think you are ignoring the very real difference that there is between the way that the Prem refs are refereeing, for example, the tackle area and the way that the likes of Rowan Kitt and Llyr ap Geraint are (failing to).
The games that David Rose and Sean Davey reffed actually flowed, apart from players having/feigning injuries before the scrums and taking half an hour to form the lineouts whereas most of the ones that have been taken by level 2 refs have stuttered their way through. I certainly think that Llyr ap Geraint cost us the game at Welsh, of course we should have played better and not been in the postion where his decisions were so influential, but we weren't and his were (so to speak).
A Prem ref would make Saturday's task a little easier but the lack of one would not be an excuse for defeat.
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: chiefswatcher (IP Logged)
Date: 05/05/2010 08:54
Quote:Exeforever
A Prem ref would make Saturday's task a little easier but the lack of one would not be an excuse for defeat.
a little easier on the eye that is for certain sure
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: Geronimo Jim (IP Logged)
Date: 05/05/2010 10:30
Are Prem refs chosen for their looks Chiefswatcher?
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: charleyboy (IP Logged)
Date: 05/05/2010 10:49
The table at the top shows the final league positions of Bedford as 5th and Nottingham as 4th. In fact it was the other way round, with Bedford finishing in 4th spot.
And the Bedford away game against the Cornish Pirates was a loss, 18 points for and 22 against, and not as shown in the table.
(thanks CharleBoy now corrected -that's the trouble with doing things late in the evening! - Moorsman)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:05:11:29:15 by Moorsman.
And the Bedford away game against the Cornish Pirates was a loss, 18 points for and 22 against, and not as shown in the table.
(thanks CharleBoy now corrected -that's the trouble with doing things late in the evening! - Moorsman)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:05:11:29:15 by Moorsman.
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: chiefswatcher (IP Logged)
Date: 05/05/2010 11:57
Quote:Geronimo Jim
Are Prem refs chosen for their looks Chiefswatcher?
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: Moorsman (IP Logged)
Date: 07/05/2010 13:06
Bedford Preview
Quote:Blues Offy
MATCH PREVIEW V EXETER CHIEFS
Bedford Blues are all geared up to make the journey to Exeter this weekend in the semi-final of the Championship play-off.
Sandy Park may not be the happiest of hunting grounds for the Blues in recent years, but buoyed by some excellent recent form, Bedford will go into this game in a positive frame of mind having completed a good play-off campaign.
The Blues have already been boosted by the news that eight of the first team squad have signed new deals with the Goldington Road outfit, but their matchday squad has been lifted by the return of Chris Goodman from injury. There had been some concern over Myles Dorrian following an eye injury sustained in last weekends fixture, but the Australian was checked over and is fully fit to play.
Looking ahead to Saturday's game director of rugby Mike Rayer said: "Everyone is aware that Exeter isn't one of our most successful destinations, but it’s a one off game and anything can happen.
"One thing that we can be sure of is an explosive game. Exeter have said that they want Premiership rugby for a number of years now and it has become their holy grail. We know what’s ahead of us and it is a significant challenge. We are aware of it, not daunted by it.
"This is the ultimate test for us as a group. If we can maintain our accuracy under pressure then we have chance. Whoever handles that pressure the best will no doubt win."
The Blues make one change to the team that started aginat Plymouth last weekend with Chris Goodman returning to number eight. The change sees Gregor Gillanders return to blindside flanker, Alex Rae move back to the second row and John Harlock taking a place on the bench.
Starting line-up:
15. Luke Fielden
14. Ollie Dodge
13. Brendan Burke
12. Ian Vass
11. Duncan Taylor
10. Myles Dorrian
9. Will Chudley
1. Sam Walsh
2. Dan Richmond (c)
3. Dan Seal
4. Mike Howard
5. Alex Rae
6. Gregor Gillanders
7. Sacha Harding
8. Chris Goodman
Replacements: 16. Chris Locke, 17. Phil Boulton, 18. John Harlock, 19. Chris Brightwell, 20. Nick Walshe, 21. Brad Davies, 22. Ian Davey
Re: Exeter Chiefs v Bedford Blues - Championship semi
Posted by: LboroChief (IP Logged)
Date: 07/05/2010 15:19
Chudley is a young no.9 who still studies at Loughborough Uni. Haydn should target his youth and push him to crack under the magnitude of the occasion.
Ive nothing against him, but at that age and playing a crucial role at no.9 - it could be a potential weakness for us to target!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:07:15:20:14 by LboroChief.
Ive nothing against him, but at that age and playing a crucial role at no.9 - it could be a potential weakness for us to target!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:07:15:20:14 by LboroChief.
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