Exeter Chiefs
Two out of Three Aint Bad
WTV
By Williams_the_Voice
September 20 2010
Exeter Chiefs gain another valuable 4 points with a 22 - 17 win over Newcastle Falcons
Two Out of Three Aint Bad
Exeter Chiefs 22 Newcastle Falcons 17
It comes as something of a rarity that Meatloaf lyrics are applicable to sporting events, but those are the overriding sentiments following the Chiefs’ close victory over the Falcons yesterday. Before the game this reporter had thought that in some ways this would prove to be the most difficult game of the 3, especially after two good performances to start the season. The spirited display at Welford Road last weekend had even prompted Mr. Guscott to predict an Exeter victory! How would the Chiefs deal with being favourites? What was a given, though, was that Exe could not conceded as many penalties as in previous weeks, or face getting kicked out of the game by Falcons fly-half Jimmy Gopperth.
It would be pretty hard to beat the first 5 minutes of the Gloucester game in terms of passion, intensity and a try to get the hairs on the back of the neck standing on end – but again the Chiefs had the better of the opening exchanges, with Steenson getting Exe on the board with a penalty. (3-0)
Despite the wonderfully named Redford Pennycook being sent to the sin-bin for a late tackle, the Chiefs were unable to take advantage of this – although much of the 10 minutes was spent in the Newcastle half. Wayward passes and handling errors were to blame for the failure to cross the whitewash.
It came as something of a surprise that it was Newcastle who got the first try of the match, Amesbury darting through the Chiefs’ defence to score. (3-7) The Falcons’ lead, however, only lasted 5 minutes. Haydn Thomas made a real nuisance of himself at a Newcastle defensive scrum, forcing a mistake and then feeding Tom Johnson for an easy score. (10-7)
Newcastle were swiftly back on level terms as the Chiefs were penalised for straying offside in a position that was simply meat and drink to someone of Gopperth’s ability. (10-10) 10 all at half time was something of a bemusing scoreline, given that the Chiefs had had the majority of possession – and wasted a number of good positions. Would this profligacy come back to haunt them in the second half?
Ten minutes into the second half and twice Newcastle were penalised at the break-down, with Steenson slotting both penalties to give Exe a 6 point lead going into the final quarter. (16-10) A rare spell of Newcastle pressure brought them into the Exeter 22, with centre Luke Eves breaking the line and allowing Rob Vickerman in for the try. Gopperth made no mistake with the conversion to once again take an unlikely lead. (16-17)
It fell to Steenson to calm any jitters that might have affected the Exeter supporters, as he calmly kicked another penalty – with Newcastle again being penalised at the ruck. (19-17) Although he struck the post with another effort, Newcastle were penalised for holding on and Steenson gave the Chiefs a 5 point advantage with less than 5 minutes remaining. The home support was given a brief scare when Fielden momentarily broke free, but Exeter held on to gain a second home win.
On reflection, this was a game that Exeter could, and indeed should, have won by a greater margin. There was a plethora of misplaced passes and knock-ons in the opposition 22. The tries that Newcastle scored were the result of some poor defensive work – and came from pretty much the only two good opportunities they had. The match was billed as being a battle between two good sets of forwards, but on the day Exeter dominated in that department. Indeed, the Chiefs controlled both possession and territory for long spells. The visitors, both centres and the lively winger Bobo aside, looked devoid of ideas at times. The worry for Exeter will be if they are as wasteful against better opposition.
But let us leave that for another day. This was game which we had expected to win, and we did. Whilst this further enhances our credentials of being a regular Premiership fixture, two away trips to Quins and leaders Northampton will give us a fuller picture of premiership life. But we travel to both of the ‘aforementioned with nothing to fear, and with 8 points on the board. Although the award was given to Steenson, my man of the match was Haydn Thomas for his enterprise and ability to pick the gap. Honourable mentions go to James Scaysbrook and James Hanks, both of whom put in sterling performances. Credit to the Newcastle fans who had made the long journey, I guess we’ll know you pretty well by the end of the season!
If you’d offered me 8 points from the first 3 games, I most certainly would have taken them. Just as the song says, two out of three aint bad. Cheers Meatloaf.
See you at the Stoop,
Matt.
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20/09/2010 08:16
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