Exeter Chiefs
What a Season
Sandy Park
By Moorsman
May 24 2012
A short look back on a very successful season for The Chiefs
2011/12 What a Season!
Season 2010/11 was amazing with Chiefs finishing 8th in their maiden season in the Premiership but that has been eclipsed by this seasons' efforts. There was a lot of success on both home and Europen fronts.
Aviva Premiership
5th place and within touching distance of a play-off place with 2 rounds to go, cementing a Heineken Cup place for next season. Rob Baxter and the players set out to be "better than last year" without targetting a leugue position. The mantra was 'Play as well as you can and enjoy it, then the position will look after itself'. Well the Chiefs certainly did that ending up with 59 points versus the 43 points from 2010/11. This saw the Chiefs take at least one point from all but two of their matches, away to Saints and Sarries.
| Season | Position | W | D | L | F | A | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
| 2010/11 | 8th | 10 | 0 | 12 | 428 | 460 | 32 | 42 | 0 | 5 | 43 |
| 2011/12 | 5th | 12 | 0 | 10 | 436 | 421 | 39 | 38 | 3 | 8 | 59 |
Too many good performances to single out a player of the year as the whole squad contributed to the success. However Hoani Tui was voted Players Player of the Year and Ignacio Mieres voted Supporters Player of the Year.
Amlin Cup
As with the Prem the Chiefs made progress in Europe reaching the Quater-Finals beating Perpignan, Dragons and Prato on the way. A close run loss in Paris to Stade Francais prevented further progress but we say goodbye to the Amlin and hello to Heineken Cup rugby next season.
'A' league
Although the number of 'A' games was shortened this season Exeter Braves were undefeated in their pool matches. The Semi saw them defeat Leicester A to reach the Final where they defeated Quins A. It was great to see a mix of 'fringe/returning players, Academy and Uni/College players perform so well.
Awards
Rob Baxter was voted Premiership DoR for the season and Gonzalo Camacho picked up the Game Changer award. Several Chiefs players also featured in the Aviva dream team and other sports Jouros selections.
Internationals
Tom Johnson has been selected for the England tour of South Africa and along with Haydn Thomas is in the England squad to face the Barbarians before the tourist leave. Three Chiefs Academy players are also going to South Africa for the U20 World Cup, Sam Hill, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Henry Slade. Joel Conlon also represented England at U18 and has just been awarded his first Pro contract by the Chiefs.
Developments
Sandy Park is still a 'work in progress' but planning permission has been gained for the eventual development up to a stadium that will hold 20K.
Finance
Last season saw a profit of >£600K and the indications are this season will also turn in a profit. Rob Baxter is likely to have a healthy player budget but it looks like recruitment won't involve big name players who cost the earth.
Looking forwrad to season 2012/13 with anticipation....
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24/05/2012 20:17
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Bring on next season and a good trip or two in the Heiny Cup.
I am proud to be a Chiefs supporter, and will be bored until September!
Exeter Chiefs - living the dream!
Thoughts are like arrows: once released , they strike their mark. Guard them well or one day you may be your own victim
