Exeter gain a bonus point, Leeds don't!

As I write this I bask in the knowledge that the Cornish Pirates have achieved the third best result that Exeter could have wished for against Leeds and denied them a bonus point! So we are now within 3 points of the leaders and 3 games away from meeting them at home.

Well to the game against Newbury. Exeter fielded a team that showed 9 changes from the side that beat Nottingham the week before. Tom Bedford enjoyed a welcome return after a long absence from the starting line up and Paul McKenzie made his début for Exe after signing from Ulster.

What can one say, Exeter did what they had to do. They always looked in control of the game and spent most of the 1st half camped in the Newbury's half. A penalty in the first 2 minutes was taken by Danny Gray to open the score followed by a well taken try from a line out by Paul McKenzie on 5 minutes. Newbury weren't helped by their number 10 Ben Stevenson, constantly kicking the ball high in the teeth of a strong breeze. The net result being the ball falling 10 metres in front of where it was kicked and being collected by Exeter on the charge.

Exeter then produced a rarity, a try by Chris Budgen from a rolling maul. Trying to remember when I last saw one of them (try by Chris Budgen or a rolling Maul?), so 17 – 0 after 16 minutes . After a series of penalties and turnover ball the best move of the match was produced by Danny Gray who kicked a cross-field kick, which depending upon your point of view was beautifully timed by Sean Marsden or 5 metres off-side to be touched down in the far corner. 22- 0 on 31 minutes.

I would tell you about the 2nd half. Unfortunately I lost my notes in the bar after the game and only managed to recover the 1st half notes. From what I remember Newbury came back into the game and managed to score a couple of tries of their own when Exeter appeared to switch off after scoring their bonus point try by Ben Breeze. But on the day Exeter looked an efficient unit. Paul McKenzie appeared to fit into the team very well. In the end it was a comfortable win for the Chiefs.

What great hospitality we had from Newbury. A 12.00 O'clock start meant that we were able to stay on and watch the glorious England team not quite beat those Ozzies! I can only wish Newbury luck with the rest of the season and hope that they put together a string of results that allow them to stay up next season.

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