Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Tribe
By Moorsman
February 24 2016
Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it at the beginning of this season?
Chiefs v Bath
Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it at the beginning of this season? OK Bath still have a game in hand but even a 5 point win still wouldn't move them from 9th!
| P | W | D | L | F | A | BP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sarries | 13 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 336 | 210 | 5 | 49 |
| 2 | Chiefs | 13 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 317 | 193 | 9 | 45 |
| 3 | Wasps | 13 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 314 | 241 | 5 | 37 |
| 4 | Quins | 13 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 327 | 300 | 7 | 37 |
| 5 | Tigers | 13 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 243 | 243 | 3 | 35 |
| 6 | Saints | 13 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 257 | 213 | 8 | 32 |
| 7 | Sharks | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 224 | 224 | 5 | 31 |
| 8 | Glaws | 13 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 256 | 256 | 3 | 29 |
| 9 | Bath | 12 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 216 | 224 | 7 | 23 |
| 10 | Falcons | 13 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 214 | 326 | 2 | 20 |
| 11 | Warriors | 13 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 243 | 326 | 6 | 18 |
| 12 | Irish | 13 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 188 | 379 | 1 | 13 |
I really thought they were going to push on this season or at least be in the mix for a top 4 place but it's the Chiefs who have stepped up a gear and it will be mightily dissapointing if we don't make the play-offs. There are clearly many differences between the sides, coaches, setup etc. but it strikes me Bath's reliance on 'high cost' International players and a consequent lack in squad depth is costing them dear. On the other hand the Chiefs have once again recruited well, e.g. Geoff Parling and Julian Salvi whilst managing to bring through developing players such as Ollie Atkins and Johnny Hill. This has enabled them to keep performing even though some major players have been out injured, Henry Slade, Dave Ewers, Damian Welch and Mitch Lees for instance.
Having said all this the Chiefs haven't exactly been firing on all cylinders over the last few weeks and will have to be at the top of their game on Sunday. It will be interesting to see whether Dave Ewers makes an appearance along with our new boy Lachie Turner and I think we'll see both on the bench. I can't wait to see the new, stronger and fitter Dave Ewers mowing his way through the opposition :-))
With a packed Sandy Park roaring the guys on I'm looking forward to seeing a Chiefs victory.
Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: thechiefstribe.com (IP Logged)
Date: 24/02/2016 10:29
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Re: Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: Pinhoe_Chief (IP Logged)
Date: 24/02/2016 11:23
Just hoping that the result reflects the current league standing with a home win. See that Hill and LCD will be back from England duty.
Re: Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: Bodges with Badgers (IP Logged)
Date: 24/02/2016 13:29
"Stronger and fitter Dave Ewers", God help the opposition.
Re: Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: Lowerwatha (IP Logged)
Date: 24/02/2016 14:49
We will have to be on our guard against a very wounded Bath side who were played off the park by Wasps but came back strong and got what looked an unlikely LBP in the end.
Wouldn't be surprised to see both Big Dave and Lachlan on the bench.
Wouldn't be surprised to see both Big Dave and Lachlan on the bench.
Re: Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: Chief in Hobbiton (IP Logged)
Date: 24/02/2016 16:32
We haven't fared very well against Bath so far. Now is the time to put that right. As mentioned they will be wounded and will no doubt fancy their chances. We need to come out all guns blazing and blow em away.
Big Dave and Lachlan could well figure....be good to see them both.
Time for a pipe of Old Toby!
Big Dave and Lachlan could well figure....be good to see them both.
Time for a pipe of Old Toby!
Re: Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: black_otter (IP Logged)
Date: 24/02/2016 22:12
Am expecting Bath to be up for this one. Although I like to take the p$ss for their spending, their lack of quality o/seas players may be their undoing this season, esp with such limited depth. Just need us to hit our steps 
Re: Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: fatheralice (IP Logged)
Date: 25/02/2016 13:26
Low and Francis both on 6N duty this weekend, so we are going to be short at THP.
Big games needed by Williams and Brown as the Bath front row is basically full strength.
Deserved for Morray after a very good performance at L Irish, but also a bit of a pain!
Big games needed by Williams and Brown as the Bath front row is basically full strength.
Deserved for Morray after a very good performance at L Irish, but also a bit of a pain!
Re: Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: andy15 (IP Logged)
Date: 25/02/2016 19:41
In my view Rimmer is better than both and has been missed and should be in the squad
Re: Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: Zyder head (IP Logged)
Date: 25/02/2016 21:05
We struggled against their scrum at Bath earlier this season which basically cost us the game as we were dominant in every other facet but kept coughing up possession and points from penalties at scrum time.
I expect Bath to target the same area so I hope it is dry and we can find some form and we can play our game. They are strong defensively without their England players so we are two well matched teams.
This game could end up being decided by the fly half/kicker with the better kicking percentage?
I expect Bath to target the same area so I hope it is dry and we can find some form and we can play our game. They are strong defensively without their England players so we are two well matched teams.
This game could end up being decided by the fly half/kicker with the better kicking percentage?
Re: Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: Lowerwatha (IP Logged)
Date: 26/02/2016 07:21
Quote:We also had Mr Wigglesworth who gave the first, and I think only this season, crooked feed decision right in front of their posts.Zyder head
We struggled against their scrum at Bath earlier this season which basically cost us the game as we were dominant in every other facet but kept coughing up possession and points from penalties at scrum time.
I expect Bath to target the same area so I hope it is dry and we can find some form and we can play our game. They are strong defensively without their England players so we are two well matched teams.
This game could end up being decided by the fly half/kicker with the better kicking percentage?
Re: Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: clalan (IP Logged)
Date: 26/02/2016 07:47
They had a lucky escape in the first match, managed to get something under the ball every time we crossed the line.
This time we need to put them away, we as they have a depleted side and our game plan seems to have changed.
But SP has a decent surface to play the quick tempo we can play, even though some of the team look a bit tired.
Bath played well against Wasps, but if they had played on a good surface instead of the ploughed field of the rec, Wasps would have been out of sight.
My worry is we are showing our mid season drop off, if we can win and keep second we will be in a good position for when our big guns return from injury.
Bath will as always wear their shirt with pride, and play accordingly. We have to meet them and stamp our game on them, and we the supporters can play our part.
Visiting Players have said when we are in full voice it does effect them, so lets do it, sing loud and strong.
This time we need to put them away, we as they have a depleted side and our game plan seems to have changed.
But SP has a decent surface to play the quick tempo we can play, even though some of the team look a bit tired.
Bath played well against Wasps, but if they had played on a good surface instead of the ploughed field of the rec, Wasps would have been out of sight.
My worry is we are showing our mid season drop off, if we can win and keep second we will be in a good position for when our big guns return from injury.
Bath will as always wear their shirt with pride, and play accordingly. We have to meet them and stamp our game on them, and we the supporters can play our part.
Visiting Players have said when we are in full voice it does effect them, so lets do it, sing loud and strong.
Re: Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: Chief caps (IP Logged)
Date: 26/02/2016 09:48
Quote:clalan
They had a lucky escape in the first match, managed to get something under the ball every time we crossed the line.
This time we need to put them away, we as they have a depleted side and our game plan seems to have changed.
But SP has a decent surface to play the quick tempo we can play, even though some of the team look a bit tired.
Bath played well against Wasps, but if they had played on a good surface instead of the ploughed field of the rec, Wasps would have been out of sight.
My worry is we are showing our mid season drop off, if we can win and keep second we will be in a good position for when our big guns return from injury.
Al we'll still be second after the weekend we're 8 points clear of third. :-)
Re: Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: Bathovalballer (IP Logged)
Date: 26/02/2016 19:09
If Exeter don't get a bonus point win, they never will with the way Bath are playing at the moment and with the return of a bigger, stronger Dave 'The Monster' Ewers. You could be top of the league come about 3.00pm on Sunday and deservedly so IMO.
Re: Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: Bathovalballer (IP Logged)
Date: 26/02/2016 19:09
If Exeter don't get a bonus point win, they never will with the way Bath are playing at the moment and with the return of a bigger, stronger Dave 'The Monster' Ewers. You could be top of the league come about 3.00pm on Sunday and deservedly so IMO.
Re: Chiefs 2nd v Bath 9th who'd have thought it...
Posted by: OldWing (IP Logged)
Date: 28/02/2016 09:35
Bath have the second best (with us being best) defensive record in the league, but the second worst points scoring record. Given the quality of their team, I find this incomprehensible. Let's hope they don't refind their attacking mojo today!
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