Unofficial Chiefs - Chiefs v Pirates Match preview

Chiefs v Pirates Match preview

Sandy Park

By Squanto January 22 2008
Squanto is the latest Chiefs fan to write a match preview for The Tribe. He looks forward to the eagerly awaited return match with the Cornish Pirates. The Chiefs will not only be looking to avenge their defeat at Camborne earlier in the season, but also to return to winning ways following last weeks reverse at Bedford.

Match Preview

Exeter Chiefs

Cornish Pirates

Saturday January 26th

When the fixture list hits the door mat pre season the first games I always immediately look for are our home derby games against out South West rivals Plymouth Albion and the Cornish Pirates and also this year welcoming The Cornish All Blacks to the league. There is something about a local derby match at home that stands out from the rest of the games in the league, its not just the crowd numbers and the bragging rights for the region its the whole package for me as a supporter standing up to battle against our local rivals. I was hoping to have written this preview on the back of a great success for both teams recently, instead we look ahead to this weekend’s game on the back of a reported lacklustre performance from the Chiefs leading to a defeat at Bedford. Our performance against the Pirates also does not bode well, a loss early in the season 23 – 30 and the Twickenham final that I’d rather not talk about. On paper our last win was at Sandy Park last season with a close fought contest ending 6 - 11, having also lost the away league game that season. On the other hand the Pirates you have to feel some compassion for (did I really say that!) There is a great uncertainty on the Pirate ship having lost crew overboard. Rumours and some clarification by the Club indicate that, their Chairman and money man Dicky Evans, as well as their coach Jim Mckay have possibly both walked the plank. Uncertainty has led to many rumours, as a visitor to their Sportnetwork site many questions have been raised - Is their going to be a stadium? Where will we be playing? Who’s going to take the helm? Will there be a full time team next season? It reminds me of the time when Mr Bremner left the County Ground and the uncertainty that brought for the Chiefs both on and off the field. All I can say is that when these events occur it’s very apparent that the values and roots of club Ruby still stand good and both sets of supporters rallied round their respective team and the club to provide support. With every thing that’s been going on I expect this weekend will provide a monumental show down of two teams fighting for league position. Mathematically we can still beat the Saints, practically I think not and so 2^nd place is the goal, along with a good run in the cup must be the Chiefs aim. Were currently separated by 10 points to the Saints (who still have a game in hand with the CAB’s) and just 9 points to the Pirates and they have already completed the return fixture with the Saints. However the Pirates are also looking for the same goals in the league and so this weekend will be the start of a decider for who will end up with the South West bragging rights. As for the team it’s great to see players coming back from Injury, I guess the usual suspects will be picked on the field but speculating this weekend we could see a bench that includes Richie back from broken ribs as well Kev Barrett and veteran Tony Walker. The Pirates like us will possibly put up a similar team as they used to convincingly beat Newbury last weekend with maybe the familiar name of Richard Bolt on the bench. All I know is that the score will be close, there will be a very passionate game from players on both teams, what ever their motivation they will all be oblivious to the events happening off the park. Discipline will count for the final score and following the Chiefs poor discipline last week I would expect everybody to be on their best behaviour. Finally I’m also looking forward to the atmosphere that Sandy Park will have, with a full house its going to be noisy, as well as some quality banter with the Pirates supporters.The only down side may be Mr Nitwits refereeing but at least he is consistently bad for both sides Good luck to the Chiefs and to the Pirates and on paper based on last season we win at home when we play the Pirates and so my prediction is a 10 – 7 win to the Chiefs Good Luck Guys Squanto PS: A polite note to any fans reading this site form the roudball game and corporate guests – please ensure complete silence when both kickers are taking place kicks PPS: Please don’t drink all the Butcombe beer in the Members bar as having ribbed Arfur for the past 2 seasons its about time I put a beer in for him behind the bar and I wouldn’t want us to run out of beer by half time and me not being able to provide !!

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23 Jan, 2008 12:04

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