Exeter Chiefs
A triumph for Effort, Urgency and Hunger.....
black_otter
By black_otter
September 3 2012
black_otter reviews the Chiefs thumping defeat of Sharks
Exeter Chiefs 43 Sale Sharks 6
Match Review
by
black_otter
Effort, urgency and hunger summed up the Chiefs’ opening display against the Sale Sharks. Yes, there was the odd mistake, a dropped ball, a knock on, a wrong decision, but by and large this was Exe at their clinical best. We appear to have picked up exactly from where we left off towards the end of last season, with clear attacking intent with ball in hand allied to stubborn, aggressive decent – a potent mixture if ever there was one.
Both sides started energetically, and after 10 minutes I was convinced that my pre-game prediction of a better Sale showing than last season was going to come good. But the more the first half wore on, the more we began to click, the more we upped the pressure on Sale, and the less heartened the opposition became. Nacho’s first try was a cracker – a lovely break from Josh Tatupu as he straightened the line following an Exe turnover (a real feature of the afternoon), the ever-present Scays on his shoulder, quick recycling and a superb choice of running line from our Argentine pivot to glide over.
Our work at the contact area was largely exemplary – counter-rucking, stealing the ball, and a series of drives close to the line saw Aly Muldowney, on an all round superb afternoon, crash over for try number two, just reward for the big man’s efforts. Coming just after half-time, this put paid to any chance that Sale might look to get back in the game. Try three came after some excellent forward work to secure clean, quick ball, and with Will Chudley, on an excellent debut, keen to keep the pace of the game high, some lovely movement from the backs ended with Matt Jess cruising over the whitewash. Sloppy Sale defending, a change of direction from Exe, a fine running line from Nacho Mieres, support from Josh T, all conspired to get Tom Johnson in position to crash over from 10yds, although an unusually long daisy nearly prevented his score as he stumbled just short of the line. Try 5 came from some fantastic movement of the ball thru the hands of the backline, with Ian Whitten, also on an impressive debut, drawing two players before passing back inside, with Luke Arscott able to then release the flying Jessy in space. The final score of the game came after Phil Dollman, in possibly his best ever game in an Exe shirt, made inroads thru the leaky Sale defence, ending just short of the line, but Budgie was on hand to drive over from 2 yds out.
A shame that only a relatively modest crowd was there to witness this display, but its early days in the new season yet. The long wait of the summer is over and the Chiefs are back with a bang!
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03/09/2012 19:47
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We've got the Saints pre and reviews covered but need someone to do the London Welsh game
I rewatched the whole match on Premierehip TV on Sunday morning and have just spotted hat the highlights are now available - if youneern't there take a look , if you were there do likewise.
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
Quote:+1 it'll be just typical that I miss our first win at The GardensLowerwatha
Great review of an excellent game - let's hope we can take this go-forward approach to the Saints game and do better than we did last year.
P156...COME ON YOU CHIEFS..
..CHIEFS....CHIEFS....CHIEFS 
