On The Third Day of Christmas...

The presents had been opened, the turkey demolished, the crackers pulled. As the curtain fell on another Christmas Day, what better way to rouse us all from our post-Christmas dolldrums than the prospect of a top-of-the-table clash in front of a sell-out crowd at Sandy Park? Sunday’s game pitted the Chiefs, licking their wounds following the defeat against Plymouth the week before, against the in-form Bristol. Someone asked me before the game if I’d got everything I wanted for Christmas, I replied, “ask me at full time!”

Following doubts about the pitch at the Brickfields last Saturday, we were greeted with pleasant sunshine as Steenson kicked off towards the South Stand, and it was to be the Chiefs who enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges. Exe enjoyed a spell of possession inside the Bristol 22, and the pressure told as Bristol were caught offside. Steenson duly slotted the penalty, and the Chiefs were up and running. (3-0)

The way the Chiefs had started the game was exemplified by a huge hit by Chad Slade on Bristol fullback Luke Arscott. Exeter were penalised for not rolling away a couple of minutes later, Jarvis making no mistake to level the scores at 3-3.

The pantomime season may now be over, but former Chief Junior Fatialofa auditioned for next year’s villain by taking Paul McKenzie out off the ball.  Cue the first bout of fisticuffs between the sides. His stupidity earned him 10 minutes in the sin-bin, and an ironic cheer from the Exeter faithful. Steenson kicked the penalty to restore Exeter’s lead. (6-3)

Could the Chiefs make the man advantage count?Temporarily playing with 14 men, Bristol seemed to spring into action. They started to throw the ball around in the Exeter 22, although to no avail. Fatialofa returned to the field (oh yes he did) to a chorus of pantomime boos. On the half hour mark, Bristol scored the first try of the match. After a well worked move from a lineout, the Exeter defence suddenly disappeared as hooker David Blaney ran in from 20 yards out. This reporter almost mistook him for a winger! Jarvis superbly converted from the touchline. (6-10)

So the first half ended, with Exeter facing the same deficit as they did the previous weekend at Plymouth. All around me were agreed that the Chiefs had to score first in the second half. It was Bristol who started the second half better, with the opening minutes being played in Exeter’s half. However it was Exeter who added to their score first, Steenson taking 3 points after Bristol were penalised for not rolling away. (9-10)

Then came what can only be described as a disastrous five minutes. The Exeter scrum was starting to buckle, and after a good move through the backs, Tom Arscott shrugged off his man and ran in for Bristol’s second try. (9-15)

Two minutes later, worse was to follow for Exeter as after a poor Chiefs kick, Bristol fielded possession and kicked down the left wing. Somehow the ball found its way to second row Roy Winters and he crashed over the line for Bristol’s third. (9-20)

On 70 minutes the crowd were treated to a glimpse of what happened at Plymouth the week before as Bristol got a rolling maul going, and drove the Chiefs back over the line, James Phillips adjudged to have dotted down. This earned Bristol a bonus point, and a 9-25 lead.

Cue the raft of Exeter changes, with Gray, Stuart-Smith and new lock signing David Gannon making his home debut. It was at this point that Exeter played with abandon, and that the atmosphere went up a notch as the crowd willed the home side over the line. The ball started to go through the hands, rather than being kicked away, with success. With Gray and CSS looking particularly lively, Exeter went for broke and Gray duly set up Nic Sestaret to score beneath the posts for a well deserved (if a little late) score. (16-25)

Still the Chiefs came back at Bristol. A couple of lineouts on the Bristol 5m line were maul opportunites, however Exe couldn’t take them as Bristol very nearly added a fifth try – as Lee Robinson hacked upfield, but his follow-up kick ended up in touch. A second defeat in two weeks for Exeter as Bristol ended up 25-16 winners.

Obviously, it’s very disappointing to have to write 2 reviews in consecutive weeks about 2 Exeter defeats. Again we saved our best rugby until we were out of the game. However I was impressed when Danny Gray came on, and maybe its time he was given a run as he does get the backs moving well. I believe it’s fair to say it wasn’t the best day for our lineout.

Whilst Exeter had plenty of opportunities and territory, the final pass was still lacking as Bristol soaked up whatever we threw at them. Do not take anything away from Bristol, though, they played superbly and creatively. Tom Arscott came on and had a great game for them. They exploited our defensive frailties, scored 4 good tries and will undoubtedly be delighted with the result.

It was great to see such a bumper crowd at Sandy Park, and I would hope that despite the result people will come back and back the Chiefs in the latter half of the season. 2 defeats in 2 weeks does not mean its time to panic.

Having read on the ‘This is Exeter’ website that the players have been concentrating on conditioning lately, we have to trust that there is a plan in place to ensure we get very few injuries ahead of the crucial playoffs. In a season which will inevitably be full of peaks and troughs, lets back the players and staff to peak at the right time, which will hopefully start around March 13.

A very happy new year to everyone, and here’s to keeping the faith in 2010,            Matt.

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