OK, How did that happen?
Rimmer - Try
By ExTeddChief
April 21 2014
ExTeddChief draws the short straw with his look back at the Sale game
OK so how did that happen?
So, since winning the LV Cup the Chiefs form had been a bit iffy, the performance vs Glaws was just pathetic and even the win in Worcester was the messiest WBP ever. Yet we still were garunteed another season in the Premiership and still had a shot at getting into this new Champions Cup.
To garuntee ourselves a Champions Cup spot though we had to beat Sale. On our turf. That was just for starters but this first part was doable at least.
So, after confirming that the match was kicking off at 3pm(not 2 as my grandfather had somehow heard) it was off to the bus stop as we got on a packed C bus and headed to Sandy Park. Get there in time to catch the tail end of a brass band performance, point out the Sale fans to my grandfather who somehow couldn’t see them and well...showtime.
Thing is...the Chiefs started OK but after that Sale pretty much smothered us. We just couldn’t get the ball out of the danger zone. Sooner or later Sale were going to get a try and it happened with the Chiefs defence being unable to hold of Michael Paterson who surged down the far flank, Danny Cipriani converting.
The Chiefs tried to respond but...look, in both football and rugby I consider efficiency to be more important than possession but the looseness of the passing here...well words fail me just thinking about it now. Back came the Sharks and but we seemed to be holding them off for a while, down by 7 wouldn’t be that bad at half time right? Well that assumed we could continue to hold the Sharks off but Tom Arscott found enough room to get himself a try in the far corner.
And then the Chiefs defence proved non-existant. San Tuitupu getting himself a try just to the right of us...Cipriani converted and suddenly we remembered that the Chiefs had yet to score.
It is rare that the Chiefs go in at half time having failed to score and the guys weren’t willing for that to happen this time...Vainikolo surging up the other end to grab a try with Steeno converting. There were still grounds for optimism at this point but the Chiefs needed to step it up for the second half.
One half of shandy for grandfather brought, not let’s see what happens in the second half.
Well we know what happened and I’m not going to go into detail about the Sale tries given that there were too many of them and they were scored at the opposite end to us.
Still, it takes a lot to silence Sandy Park. And this wasn’t the Tribe holding its breath like it was during the Northampton game, this was pure and utter shellshock! The Chiefs looked half dead. The scoreboard kept ticking over. Sharks claimed a WBP. More tries from them.
Eventually the Chiefs pack drove over the line with Rimmer claiming the credit.
It was obvious the game was over though and when my grandfather suggested we left with two minutes to go I didn’t argue. And I’m pretty sure I’ve never left Sandy Park early! Sale got another converted try as we were heading out.
Well we’re now down to 8th. Direct competition for the Champions Cup...is no longer doable. 7th...is still doable but not on this form. Even Rob doesn’t seem to be sure why this happened.
Suddenly though...we do need answers and Rob will be relieved that he has a weekend off to work with
Footnote by Moorsman: Just wanted to mark another Chiefs stalwart in James Hanks having to retire on medical advice. Good luck James, stay healthy.
a photo from happier times
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2 Between them there were only 11 penalties, according to The Rugby Paper, 5 conceded by us, 6 by them. This is in marked contrast to the 17 we conceded at Wuss, so let's give credit to coaches and players.
3 Early leavers left more room for the true supporters, who stayed to the end to clap BOTH teams off the pitch.
Quote:black_otter
I have to say I'm not sure about this 'you're not a true supporter if you leave before the end' line that i hear trotted out.
Quite agree, people leave earlier every week for various reasons(transport timings) whether we are winning or losing, but the point is that they are there every week having paid good money for their ticket be it ST or match by match basis. To say that any one who leaves early is not a true supporter is a bit crass.
On this occasion there were more than normal due to the situation, people are exactly that, people and entitled to have emotions and make decisions. So lets not slag anyone off for being a lesser fan!
PS: I did stay to the end, but maybe I'm too tight not to get evry minute of viewing for my ST money.
Time to move on and look forward to a hard hitting and brutal game against the quins.
James Cracknell
Quote:OldWing
Interesting point raised about the penalty count. Luke Arscott in his post match interview wondered whether a focus on avoiding penalties had blunted our challenge. There may be something in it, I guess, but surely wouldn't account for such a comprehensive defeat?
I think it's more an 'alignment of the planets' kind of thing. Sale played well, Cipriani's hit form, the loss of Mumm and Johnson (among others), Exe are knackered and a bit jaded, LV= hangover etc.
Obviously if we want to be contenders at the top level it's the kind of thing we need to overcome. In the last few seasons we'd have had Hayes and Baxter ready to step into the breach. It'll take time to replace guys like that - not just good players, but 'heartbeat of the team' type players.