Preview

of

Leeds v Chiefs

at

Headingley  

Just 2 matches into the second half of the season, Exeter Chiefs have reached what could have been their opportunity to take the lead in National Division 1. Following the draw last week with Esher, it is now a must win game, just to keep their promotional chance alive. For Leeds it is the opportunity to stretch their lead at the top of the table to 9 or even 10 points.  

It is the game that both sets of players and fans alike have been waiting for, like a group of eager children, awaiting the arrival of Christmas Day. Plenty of ‘My balls bigger than your ball@ type comments have inundated both fans sites. 

Maybe it was the big prize that helped Exeter take their minds off the game in hand last week. 

Had the home and away fixtures been reversed, this fixture would definitely have been sold out at Sandy Park, whether the Leeds community see the importance of this fixture and come out in their droves to support them is yet to be seen. 

Statistically there is still not much between the teams, however, following last weekends results, it is now 5 and not 2 points that separates them at the top of National League 1, Leeds sitting on the top of the pile, having won all 16 games this season, whilst Exeter having lost just one and drawn 1, and having earned 1 more bonus point than Leeds, sit just below them. Leeds have not lost at home this season nor have Exeter lost away from home.  

I doubt the team will be released until late this week, but certain players will undoubtedly be present, including Lewis Stevenson, Chris Cracknell, Kev Barrett, Chris Budgen, Josh, Nic Sesteret and Sean Marsden, as long as they are all free from injury. 

On the day, statistics will count for nothing, as has been so well proven recently, the teams being separated by shear grit and determination, the winning team likely to be the one that’s most focused, that makes the least unforced errors, and capitalises on those errors that the opposition make, adapting best to the conditions and playing as close to the referees interpretation of the law as possible. (Stating the obvious I know!) Who that will be is too close to call, although the pundits will all see Leeds as the firm favourites. 

The adrenalin will certainly be pumping in the dressing room on Saturday, but one thing Exeter can be sure of is that out on the terraces will be the largest group of their travelling supporters that they have seen, with the exception of the EDF finals, willing to back them all the way to the final whistle with all the noise and gusto required. The supporters will arrive at Headingley in a party mood and will want to return in the same way, many having set off from home well before 6 in the morning. 

Whatever the final result, there will still be plenty of rugby to be played over the coming months before any team can be crowned as champions and take the coveted winners position in the Premier League. Even then, with the current speculation about the size and format of the GP, anything could happen. 

For what its worth, my prediction:Leeds 17 - 19 Exeter Chiefs

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