Chiefs 22 Pirates 15
By Big Bob
November 14 2009
Big Bob follows up his preview with a review of the home Pirates game. League or cup, home or away - previewers and reviewers are need by the tribe - check out the "sticky" article and help the tribe.
November 14 2009
Big Bob follows up his preview with a review of the home Pirates game. League or cup, home or away - previewers and reviewers are need by the tribe - check out the "sticky" article and help the tribe.
So that's 11 out of 11 – all of the other teams in the league played and beaten, so am I happy this evening? The answer is “No”. As I left the stadium I spoke to a couple of stalwarts, both of whom will remain anonymous. To the first person that I meet I said “We made a lot of mistakes” to which he responded “so did the ref”. The second a real “club man” stated “We kept them in it”. I am indebted to these people, for me they summed the match up perfectly.
For me the positives were:
Exeter's scrum, apart from a couple of times when the ball popped out the back, when presumably it shouldn't have, the Pirates could not live with the Chiefs forwards at scrums.
Exeter kicked appropriately and did not just kick the ball to the opposition - I thought that the Pirates did – thanks for this.
The crowd which was large and respected the kickers.
Th weather which got better and better
The pitch – would this match have gone ahead at the County Ground? - I think not.
The negatives were:
The handling errors – too numerous to mention – I await Monday's Express and Echo with interest for this stat. So often we went close but came away empty handed. On one occasion three points were gift wrapped for the Pirates when on catching a kick off a Chief's player ran into a team mate- accidental offside – 3 points lost – to the Pirates very accurate kicker Cook.
The line out – which was not as solid as it should be and not a patch on the scrum.
The ref, at times Mr Wilson didn't help the Chiefs, point in case being the penalty that led to the Pirates last three points. Mr Wilson, and one of his touch judges just couldn't see the offside Pirates player. To his credit though Mr Wilson did show that he has eyes when he yellow-carded a Pirates player. I don't want players to get sent off but there is only so much spoiling that you can do.
I thought that the final score was slightly flattering to the Pirates who were out scored by three tries to nil. Gareth Steenson had a relatively bad day at the office by his high standards missing two penalty attempts (one off a post) and one conversion.
I guess you could say that if you play with so many errors but still win then that's good. “Winning ugly” has been said at least once this season, and yes I acknowledge that a win is a win, but I think that we need to tighten up before the play-offs or else the consequences hardly need to be stated.
Once again Rob Baxter and co will have a lot of analysing to do on the computer tomorrow. The match video is not exactly a “video nasty” but it will give the players food for thought on Monday. I expect that the players are far to busy to read this, but if any do then, despite my criticisms I thank you for your work so far this season – the biggest half is yet to come!
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Stumbleupon| 14 Nov, 2009 20:31 | Report |
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thechiefstribe.com (IP Logged) Unregistered User |
Chiefs 22 Pirates 15
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| 14 Nov, 2009 20:45 | Report |
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Registered User |
Date Joined: Jun, 2008 Location: Posts: 1902 |
Re: Chiefs 22 Pirates 15
A good synopsis of the game BB. This site would be so dull without these reviews and previews.
All you budding analysts out there, give up a few minutes and write the odd report. I've said before, your reviews n previews are very welcome, you don't need to be a whizz on here, it helps keep the site alive.
Chiefs Chiefs CHIEFS
All you budding analysts out there, give up a few minutes and write the odd report. I've said before, your reviews n previews are very welcome, you don't need to be a whizz on here, it helps keep the site alive.
Chiefs Chiefs CHIEFS
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| 14 Nov, 2009 23:06 | Report |
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One Eyed Pirate (IP Logged) Mr |
Date Joined: Apr, 2007 Location: Plymouth Posts: 511 |
Re: Chiefs 22 Pirates 15
Was my first visit to sandy park today and i have to say I was mightily impressed. Absolutely first class stadium - certainly premiership standard. Great flood lights and score board not to mention the stands and the quality of the pitch. The park and ride was also great, didnt have to wait at all either way.
The announcer on the tannoy was also brilliant and pleasantly impartial I thought (in contrast to the awful obnoxious and shrill woman at the other away game i went to this season). Also the supporters seemed such a fun and friendly bunch, very respectful and what an attendance!!!
I really hope you guys get promoted this season as I would love to go back to watch a premiership game or two there.
The team and the set up both seem very much ready for it to me. You guys certainly looked a far better team than Bristol to me.
Only downside was the prices, I thought 20 quid a ticket to sit behind the posts 2 rows back was a lot for a championship game, and the beer was a tad steep at 3.50.
The announcer on the tannoy was also brilliant and pleasantly impartial I thought (in contrast to the awful obnoxious and shrill woman at the other away game i went to this season). Also the supporters seemed such a fun and friendly bunch, very respectful and what an attendance!!!
I really hope you guys get promoted this season as I would love to go back to watch a premiership game or two there.
The team and the set up both seem very much ready for it to me. You guys certainly looked a far better team than Bristol to me.
Only downside was the prices, I thought 20 quid a ticket to sit behind the posts 2 rows back was a lot for a championship game, and the beer was a tad steep at 3.50.
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| 15 Nov, 2009 09:26 | Report |
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Registered User |
Date Joined: Apr, 2007 Location: Exmouth Posts: 966 |
Re: Chiefs 22 Pirates 15
Thanks 3 Wheels - we do need more analysts / ranters otherwise I'll keeping boring the tribe.
Thanks too Norwich Pirate for your kind words - your views are probably out of line with the majority of the rest of the Pirates crew. Re the prices some of the tribe would agree with you. As we all know it's all about money - the Pirates and the Chiefs need it in order to compete. Rich benefactors get fatigue and the corporate side of things will only provide so much. My personal view is that if I want to see a premiership team at Sandy Park then I need to add a bit extra - and this is the only reason that I bought a curry and a couple of pints (of cola) yesterday - honest! I do appreciate that this is a personal view.
Any way I glad that you had a good day. As is always the way when I look at yesterdays review I see how I could have changed it or added more. The Pirates kept plugging away - as they are paid to do - but they still did so credit to them. I should also have acknowledged the Chiefs defence - who I think now have had less points against than anyone else.
Good luck to the Pirates against Gael Force next week - the tribe will be watching the result with great interest.
Thanks too Norwich Pirate for your kind words - your views are probably out of line with the majority of the rest of the Pirates crew. Re the prices some of the tribe would agree with you. As we all know it's all about money - the Pirates and the Chiefs need it in order to compete. Rich benefactors get fatigue and the corporate side of things will only provide so much. My personal view is that if I want to see a premiership team at Sandy Park then I need to add a bit extra - and this is the only reason that I bought a curry and a couple of pints (of cola) yesterday - honest! I do appreciate that this is a personal view.
Any way I glad that you had a good day. As is always the way when I look at yesterdays review I see how I could have changed it or added more. The Pirates kept plugging away - as they are paid to do - but they still did so credit to them. I should also have acknowledged the Chiefs defence - who I think now have had less points against than anyone else.
Good luck to the Pirates against Gael Force next week - the tribe will be watching the result with great interest.
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| 15 Nov, 2009 10:13 | Report |
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Rather Windy Chief (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Nov, 2009 Location: Exmouth Posts: 39 |
Re: Chiefs 22 Pirates 15
What a great game, both teams always put everything into these local derby's but I think the Chiefs defence yet again proved to be strong and all credit to the lads for yet another win.
I would agree, if we need to invest in a few pence over the Odds for our Beer to watch Premiership Rugby at Sandy park then thats fine with me, we will also need to invest in a few more experienced players to stay in that league so its a good investment.
Finally credit to the Pirates supporters who were fun, up for it, gave as good as they got and provided wonderful entertainment in the undercoft bar after the game - such singing, you boys should be proud.
I would agree, if we need to invest in a few pence over the Odds for our Beer to watch Premiership Rugby at Sandy park then thats fine with me, we will also need to invest in a few more experienced players to stay in that league so its a good investment.
Finally credit to the Pirates supporters who were fun, up for it, gave as good as they got and provided wonderful entertainment in the undercoft bar after the game - such singing, you boys should be proud.
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| 15 Nov, 2009 10:57 | Report |
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Axe Chief (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Feb, 2008 Location: Posts: 168 |
Re: Chiefs 22 Pirates 15
Reasonably efficient victory; tremendous defence; good game, couldn't call it great; but not the atmosphere a local derby ought to produce. I was right in amongst the Pirates supporters and you could only call it 'flat'. Or, is it the ongoing legacy of the lunacy of this "everyone has a chance" playoff idea?
To me the game was summed up as:-
1. As hard as the Pirates tried because the Chiefs defence was so good they only ever threatened once, right at the end of the half.
2. If the Chiefs had cut down on their handling errors, perhaps not tried to push too hard on occasions, the victory would have been much greater.
3. In the end it was possible that kicking was going to decide the outcome, but to the reverse of everyone's expectations.
To me the game was summed up as:-
1. As hard as the Pirates tried because the Chiefs defence was so good they only ever threatened once, right at the end of the half.
2. If the Chiefs had cut down on their handling errors, perhaps not tried to push too hard on occasions, the victory would have been much greater.
3. In the end it was possible that kicking was going to decide the outcome, but to the reverse of everyone's expectations.
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| 16 Nov, 2009 09:13 | Report |
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bandit boy (IP Logged) Unregistered User |
Re: Chiefs 22 Pirates 15
I thought it was a thoroughly enjoyable game, 2 teams playing classis 'derby' rugby. Chiefs defence was never going to be breached and the errors chiefs made gifted them the losing bonus point.
My only comment, and I have made this before, we have great backs why oh why does Steenson kick so much. With the conditions as they were any kick was unpredicitable at best so ball in hand, more please.
My only comment, and I have made this before, we have great backs why oh why does Steenson kick so much. With the conditions as they were any kick was unpredicitable at best so ball in hand, more please.
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| 16 Nov, 2009 10:17 | Report |
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Registered User |
Date Joined: Feb, 2008 Location: ETN. Exeter Posts: 1857 |
Re: Chiefs 22 Pirates 15
Quote:bandit boy
My only comment, and I have made this before, we have great backs why oh why does Steenson kick so much. With the conditions as they were any kick was unpredicitable at best so ball in hand, more please.
Unfortunatly this is a problem that is in the game at the moment, you only had to watch England V argentina on sat to see it also effects the top teams as well.
East Terrace North chief.
Exeter Chiefs a Premership Club
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| 16 Nov, 2009 11:50 | Report |
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bandit boy (IP Logged) Unregistered User |
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