Back to Winning Ways
Chiefs
By ExTeddChief
November 6 2012
ExTeddChief reflects on Exeter Chiefs latest win at Sandy Park
Back to Winning Ways
Chiefs 33 Warriors 9
I got up early Saturday morning for a spot of much needed exercise, namely, Dad and I taking up a challenge on the University grounds known as “Cardiac Hill” to my student friends. It was my idea and I certainly realised how mad it was by the end.
The big event of the day though was of course Chiefs vs Worcester. Let’s face it our guys hadn’t been on the best of form recently, the Heineken Cup has proven to be a serious reality check so far and the Bath defeat left us in the bottom half of the table. Relegation still looked very unlikely but we still needed a win.
After catching the start of Abu Dhabai Grand Prix qualifying it was off to the bus stop and on to a fairly packed 78. It was cold enough to need my Chiefs hat but I’ve been colder. My grandfather fancied trying the curry though something like that mid-afternoon didn’t seem like a good idea so I just grabbed a coffee then it was into the SW Comms stand. There seemed to be plenty of Worcester fans around plus a guy behind me trying to train up the next generation.
Well the Chiefs went right on the attack this time and soon got a pen...which bounced off the posts without going through. Not long afterwards though Arscott sent a kick through which Camacho grabbed, cue try, cue Chop. Steeno converted.
Our Irish kicker kept banging over pens as the Chiefs looked like they were going to be merciless and yet the Chiefs weren’t able to get themselves a second try. Eventually the visitors got their act together and started steaming down our end but the Chiefs defence was in no mood to let them score. Just as it seemed as though we’d be going into half time with a clean sheet though, we conceded a last second penalty and Andy Goode slotted it.
The crazy thing about the first half is that Sandy Park, at least out part of it, seemed to be relatively quiet. At times the Worcester fans were making more noise than us. It seemed as though we weren’t quite firing on all cylinders on the pitch still but a WBP looked very much doable.
One Otter and pasty later and it was showtime again and surely we were in the best position to see Chiefs tries. OK, we also thought that at half time during the Clemont game but let’s face it...Worcester are not Clemont. The fact is though it was the visitors that were on the attack and Goode slotted two more pens at that end with my grandfather and I wondering what the hell was going on. Complacency? Either way as the clock ticked down the WBP looked less and less likely. For starters we needed to get out of our half.
Finally though the Chiefs were up our end again and eventually we got that try, with Thomas finishing off a surge and Budgie rumbling through for try number three. Steeno and Nacho getting a conversion each.
Job done and I never complain when one of my teams wins, particularly when we needed a win. The scoreline flattered us a bit though. Maybe the first XV need that LV Cup rest.
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I was also amused by how, every time they got a penalty that they were going to kick, one of their players would talk to Mr Rose whilst Goode stole another 3 metres for the goal kick.
I don't think that the scoreline flattered us, Worcester seemed to be playing for damage limitation and, perhaps, the LBP from the time they got more than 2 scores behind, as suggested above. Had we played for 80 minutes with the intensity that we played in the last 10 we could have scored who knows how many as they didn't seem able to live with our pace once we upped it sufficiently, but for that you need a 10 who can get the backs moving........
You're right Worcester were only there for a LBP
The team at the moment seem to take a breather during the match then struggle to regain the initiative but the score didn't flatter us IMHO, we were in control for most of the game, just not penetrating enough.
Good report, and as you say ETC lots of visiting and knowledgeable supporters, after lots of chats with their good folk, I know which team I'd rather be supporting.
We trust and Know Rob have a plan, as they are unsure what their coaches think or plan, so are concerned at which direction their good club is going.
Warriers also have/had plans for a 20K staduim according to wikapedia but can't find any other details about it so don't know if it's still on, hopefully it is.
