Exeter Chiefs failed to take beat last years champions but once again show they have what it takes to be a competitive Premiership side.  Having lost the away fixture by 10 points at least the Chiefs managed to limit this to 7 points at Sandy Park and pick up a losing bonus point.  It was a frustrating result for Rob Baxter as well as many of the vociferous Tribe.  Rob made it clear in post match interviews that he felt the squad had performed well but need to 'grow up' when it comes to some decision making and making the step up from plucky losers.  During the radio Devon interview he cited the final penalty attempt by Steeno as an example.  Rob suggested the guys had taken the wrong option as a losing BP was in the bag and this would have allowed the Chiefs to push for 7 points, particularly given how well the line-out had functioned. 

Richard Cockerill suggested before the game that Leicester would be looking to disrupt the Chiefs set piece.  Well they certainly managed to disrupt the scrum.  It would be interesting to see some footage of the scrums, particularly in the 1st half, from the high TV camera. From my somewhat less lofty position high in the West stand the Tigers appeared to be using a scrum technique I'd not seen before. This involved their scrum pushing at a few degrees off straight thus disrupting any forward momentum the Chiefs scrum could muster. The resultant disruption avoided wheeling the srcum and the ball popped out the side on several occassions.  Other than this the Chiefs set piece went well and the defence was really good, particularly in the first 10 minutes of the second half.  There were several good line breaks but a combination of missed passes and the all too frequent knock-on meant these went unrewarded.

Having said this the side continues to gain experience with each match.  This is only the Chiefs 12th Prem game and it's a mighty understatement to say the Tigers have more experience to call on as they have 313 Prem games under their belt.  Expectations are beginning to grow at both Sandy Park and away fixtures that the Chiefs will gain at least a losing BP from each match.  The away points aren't going to be easy to come by but both Toby Booth and Richard Cockerill have said Sandy Park is a difficult place to come looking for points.  This is in no small way due to the passion shown by the players and a crowd that really gets behind the team.

Great fun this Premiership lark and I for one am looking forward to many years enjoying watching the Chiefs push for honours.

Come on you Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs!