By lilyg
October 2 2010

It is foolish to pretend that one is fully recovered from a disappointed passion. Such wounds always leave a scar (Henry Longfellow) I feared for Exeter, I really did.

Aviva Premiership Round 5

Saints v Exeter, Saturday 2^nd October 2010, 15:00, Franklins Gardens

Saints 27 Exeter Chiefs 21

It is foolish to pretend that one is fully recovered from a disappointed passion. Such wounds always leave a scar (Henry Longfellow)

I feared for Exeter, I really did.

I feared that the irritation and annoyance caused by man in the middle’s starring role at the gulag that is Vicarage Road last week would cause a backlash like the snarling, fang bearing, drooling of a Saints supporter waiting for the Beckett to open on match day.

However, I also had another little fear – after watching the Chiefs almost beat our little bouncy chums up the road and, with two wins under their belt and a crunching defeat of their own last week………they too had a point to prove.

Firstly, a few congratulations; to our SWH organisers, helpers and especially to the walkers - you have made us all very proud of your blisters and commitment to this great cause. Thank you very much to all the sponsors and donators – you’ve saved lives, don’t underestimate your contribution.

To Mark Easter for his century of games and to Broooooooooooooooocccccccceeeee for sailing past 1,000 points.

So what happened on the pitch? I’m still bemused, confused and ummm, something else with used at the end.

It all started out so well, a pretty even match even though the Saints looked like they were the ones who would break through first. There were some huge tackles – not quite of the Rodber/Tuigamala earthquakes – but loud enough to cause a few intakes of breathe from a crowd who were expectant of a bounce back performance.

Bruce’s place kicking was excellent, Geraghty’s creativity is on the way back and the pack were their usual superb self. Exeter almost scored in the very early stages after a wayward pass from Reihana, only for the Exeter winger Naqelevuki to become indecisive with the line begging, leading to a slip allowing the cover defence to smother any chance of a try for the visitors.

The rest of the half was a mediocre affair – not really even one for the purists. I don’t expect epic performances every week, in fact just good solid performances would do – Franklins Gardens should be a frightening place for visiting teams (and I’m not just talking about the scary faces in the crowd!).

Diggers first try was a well worked effort and thoroughly deserved for the pack who kept battering at the Exeter door, but even with the Bruce penalty master class, the score board wasn’t totally comfortable reading at half time: Saints 16 - Exeter 9.

I’m sure the papers and media folk will report what a good performance it was from Exeter to get a point from Franklins Gardens. Frankly, they really didn’t deserve the nine points they went in with at half time. Certainly the last two scoring penalties, blatant infringements (going in at the side and diving over the top) were completely ignored by the assistant referee and the man in the middle. This was obviously a sign of things to come.

The second half degraded in to what can only be described as an amateur match, refereed by a man who was either out of his depth or had just completely lost the plot. The Saints didn’t help matters, but yet again, the man in the middle did his best to ruin a pleasant Saturday afternoon out. I don’t believe Exeter will be relegated this season and I do hope they stay up, but by ‘eck JP Doyle did his very best to help that statement. His scrum management was appalling, his signalling was awful, and I think another season in the Championship may help him get over himself.

Well done to Exeter for not giving up when they were 27 – 9 down. There was some great passing play that the Saints struggled to contain and with wave after wave of attack, they really did deserve their first try. The second, however, I will await to see the highlights and whether Arscott was in touch.

John Clarkes yellow card seemed to be another turning point for taking the match down to an even lower level of ineptitude and I will leave it to the papers, ITV and Sky to deliver whatever they made of it. What I saw didn’t fill my heart or 13,000 other hearts with joy.

Great to see Chicken back, a little bit larger, but may be he’s in competition with Hoani Tui – who I was very impressed with for staying on the pitch for as long as he did.

The visiting support were a tremendous credit to their club – although I am glad I was at the opposite end to the drums! I think you may have some fun with London Irish and at Watford.

I am a referee and so don’t feel too bad at criticising the officials. I am disappointed at the todays game and the home team’s performance. Perhaps I expect too much, but after holding a ST for 18 years, I guess I can.

A win’s a win and we should be pleased with that, but please can we up the performance on Friday……..I don’t think my nerves can stand it and its making my grey hairs even more grey!

Bernie tries his luck with another team

Photos Simon Robinson and Elaine Lowrence