Exeter Chiefs
Exeter Chiefs v Leeds review
Moorsman
By Moorsman
September 7 2008
Exeter Chiefs lose by one point to Leeds Carnegie in an error strewn performance. The Chiefs surrendered two early sores and were playing catch-up rugby for the rest of the match. They were the dominant side from then but a series of handling errors and a strong Leeds defence prevented a victory.
Match Review
Exeter Chiefs 13 Leeds Carnegie 14
The new South West Grandstand
There are many reasons why Exeter Chiefs will be really dissapointed not to have won this match. I suspect that letting Leeds score two early tries and the poor defence shown for both will be the major one. After this the Chiefs defended well and really took the game to Leeds, scoring one very good try and having two further efforts ruled out by the ref. Play was dominated by defence and Leeds are a very difficult side to break down.
Unfortunately Steenson seems to have lost his kicking boots as there were enough opportunities for him to have won the game. He also seemed to have lost them at Esher but I'm sure they'll be back for next weeks game against the Pirates. Richie Baxter looked a bit off the pace and although he put in some mighty hits his handling wasn't up to his normally high standards.
However there were positives to be taken from the game with both scrum and line-out working well. The forwards competed really well at the break-down and Andy Miller with play reminiscent of the Leeds coach (Neil Back) in his playing days. Kevin Barrett put in a great performance and links well with both forwards and backs. Both wingers look dangerous when they get the ball, we just need to get it to them quicker and more often. Lewis Stevenson won a deserved Man of the Match award, getting The Tribe their first mention of the season!
The major positive I'll take from the game is that The Chiefs are a developing side, whereas Leeds are essentially the side relegated from the Premiership. If The Chiefs can run them this close and they had plenty of opportunities to win the game, watch out when they really start to gel as a team.
Just one other thing from the game. Leeds appeared to have a player injured/requiring attention at every break-down. This resulted in a flood of support staff onto the pitch including one character who seemed to be coaching.
He usually carried a bottle onto the pitch with him but this ws clearly for decoration purposes only! Any idea who he is, what his role is in the club? We all know messages get to the players but not usually this blatently or as often.
Bring on The Pirates.......
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StumbleuponConsidering the new ELV that gives the touch judges more power, I think the official on the main stand side was very poor. He didn't once signal an offence that the ref had not seen, and was not keeping up with play well either.
Quote:Loosehead
The above person is the Leeds Skills coach
So presumably he knows the rules of the game..........
(Sm35)Living the dream
Supporting The Chiefs in the AP
Quote:Loosehead
would be debatable as he is the former Head Coach of Leeds Rhino's
would somebody tell him this is rugby union not league then!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway it seemed a scrappy match but I somehow expect it to be very similar when you all travel up to Leeds so hope to see many of you up here for that
Some say he has a Tykes flag with team signatures on.
Others say that he's doing the same to the Carnegie flag,
All we know is that he's called Leeds carnegie signed flag.
07/09/2008 20:47
The bloke from Leeds was maybe being a little more cheeky with his method of achieving the same objective. What's the problem?
I'd hate him to come to any harm!
My real gripe is with the second official or whatever they call him. The whole idea of the ELV covering the touch judges was to help eradicate misdemeaners that the referee cannot see. We could all see the blatent disregard this guy was showing, and numerous other on pitch offences that the referee did not see, but not once did the official intervene or appear to pass on any information.
I also thought he had a pretty good view of the non-try "knock on" under the posts - Looked off the knee from where I was sitting on the 22.
Plenty of positives to take from the game though - it was definitely one they should have one, but I was impressed how well they came back from 14-0 down so early on - could have easily demoralized them.
Role on the pirates - definitely a must win game now!
07/09/2008 23:34
Chief Swatcher
On a plus point, I thought Big Chief Running Maul was great! Well done to who ever it is - they play a fantastic air guitar
Lets hope the crowd get with him next time and create a bit more atmosphere.Living the dream
Supporting The Chiefs in the AP
Hopefully, a few shock results along the way, and Exeter will topple Leeds from the top.
Think we've shown that the unexpected can happen.
Good luck for the rest of the campaign (except when you play us of course!).
Quote:Running Bare
Solution. Chris Budgen should take him out with one hit. "Sorry ref, I didn't see him or expect him to be on the pitch."
I am sure Powell would be ok being a former GB RL International, I am sure he is also still pretty light on his feet
Judging by the play, any lessons taught were not received!
Quote:CornishChief
Nice win against the Pirates BB. They are gonna be pi**ed after we beat themn again next Sat.
Cheers - thanks. Planning to come down for a long weekend in November when we play you - not doing it there and back in a day again so any suggestions on where (safe as will be on my own!) to go would be appreciated!
Do like the Pirates so not sure who to root for this week... Well aside from Coventry
AP - there is an "i" in "pi**sed" - nobody likes a smart ar*e!
BB - If you don't tell us who you are rooting for, the suggestions for a place to stay in November may include the less desirable places
![[:wor kid:]](/phorum-5.1.15/mods/smileys/images/13.gif "[:wor kid:]")
Bad points frome my view (i am very harsh)
Why does PD not make changes?
poor basic skills - (tackling, catching high balls & kicking)
did not maximise there advantage in the line out
no 6 & 7 did not close down leeds fly half enough (he had far to much time & space so could kick them out of trouble)
why did Matt Jess not play??
why did steeson take a kick from the half way line??
why did no 9 & 14 not pass when in try scoring opportunities.
positives.
Fittness - Exeter were soooo much fitter - leeds really flagged in the last 20 mins
the forwards played really well
Josh try - beat two players (he still cannot catch or kick)
like the new centers very much -
farawaycheif (sp?), where did you see the DVD ?
You ask why did Matt Jess not play. This surprised me a little as both Josh and Nic played fantastic on Saturday. Josh looked good going forward and took his try very well. Nic was outstanding and looked busy all game going forward and in defence. There was no question he won his battle against the more experienced and much vaunted Tom Biggs. I don't think either of them could be dropped on the back of that performance to be fair - which would make the question of where was Jess irrelevant. What it does highlight is the quality that Exeter have with Drauniniu, Sestaret, Jess and Luff all competing for a starting berth in the side. It will be up to the player in possession to retain the jersey and for those not selected to up their game to wrestle it from them. All good!
