By Saint Tim
October 18 2010

I remember the Chiefs as a good natured bunch – passionate about their team and pushing hard for the holy grail of promotion to the premiership, whilst hardly believing it could happen.  Those were the happy days we spent in the First Division where in three games they pushed us hard in each one.

Fast forward a couple of seasons and thanks to the crazy play-off system they gained promotion to the promised land via an amazing performance away at long time leaders Bristol.  I am sure that most Exeter supporters could hardly believe it.  A short (and I am sure for the coaching team it was far too short) off season and here they are playing with the big boys and standing up very well.  They had already gone toe to toe for most of the game at Pooh Corner and had only been outclassed on the score board once and that was away to Harlequins and we all know how hard a place that is to go and play.  So anyone who dreamt of a bonus point before half time should really have known better.  Exeter do not have household names to bolster the team that gained promotion.  Instead they have a huge work ethic and a great team spirit – oh and Chicken!  It was great to see Chicken and Sturge back at the gardens playing at the top level.  I am sure that Chicken was gobsmacked by the reception he received.

This was also the day of the annual Saints with Heart walk and I was heartened to see the generosity of the Saints fans as I shook a bucket and sold lanyards down near the ticket office entrance.  There was a fair bit of folding pushed into the bucket and I was not surprised at the total raised from the shake – as well as the marvellous walkers.  It was great to chat to visiting supporters and explain what it was all about.  Take a bow again Mr Smurf for your brilliant organization.

Who was your Man of the Match in the win over Exeter at the Gardens?

 So it was an almost full house with a fair smattering of chiefs supporters on a bright and sunny autumn day – almost perfectly made for fast running rugby.  Exeter came with a game plan put together with the assistance of another Saints old boy Ali Hepher who is quietly learning his trade in the south west.  It was a frustrating game to watch for many periods.  Exeter always seemed to have a man injured at the breakdowns – delaying the restarts and this seemed to impact on Saints rhythm.  Two important land marks were passed.  Firstly Saints with Hear passed the £100,000 pound mark for the British Heart foundation (special mention to Rich who started it, Flattie who took up the baton only to hand it on to Smurf for this year) and secondly Bruce Bruce Bruce Reihana passed the magical 1000 point mark for the Saints.  This seems to have been a long time coming and I am sure that Bruce was delighted to have been passed the kicking duties as it enabled him to score the points required.  Bruce is the archetypal Saintsman.  I still recall that speech he gave on the pitch after the relegation game against Irish where the odd swear word betrayed the hurt he felt at what at happened.  I am so glad that he has continued to play and see the Saints resurgent under the leadership of Jim, Dorian and Paul.  When Bruce does decide to hang up his boots it will leave a massive hole in the club.  We are fortunate to have had such a player wear the green black and gold.

The only try of the first half was from the Man of the match winner from the previous week Paul Diggin.  He showed great strength to power over when many other wingers would have been bundled into touch.  In many ways I think Paul is playing better in the two games I have seen him play this season than any time before.  A smattering of penalties for either side meant that it was 16 – 9 at half time.

The second half was a strange affair.  The delaying tactics and the seeming continual replacements led to a disjointed spectacle.  Saints pushed ahead with a couple more penalties and a try from Tiny before Exeter seemed to come alive.  Many thought that they would run out of steam but they came back at Saints hard and Jon Clarke was sin binned, probably a team card, and whilst he was off Budgen was driven over for a try, which somewhat oddly brought cheers from the Saints crowd, and then Arscott scored out wide in somewhat controversial circumstances as many thought he was in touch.  Personally after watching the replays I think it was a good try.

This was not a vintage performance and was, as I say, not a pretty game to watch but it did show the tenacity of Exeter.  I very much doubt that they will be the bottom of the pile come May next year.

One final thing is to say congratulations to Mark Easter for his 100^th cap for the Saints when he came on as a 62^nd minute replacement for Roger Wilson.

So, who caught the eye?

There were really only two players in it this week and to be honest I have already waxed lyrical about both of them.

Paul Diggin was runner up with 14% of the votes.  I think most of you who read these musings already know what I think of young Paul.

The run away winner was our ex captain but still Mr fantastic – Bruce Bruce Bruce Reihana.  Bruce not only reached his 1000 point mark he also got 44% of the votes and became the fifth different winner in five games.  The leaderboard (see the next page for the details via the link at the bottom) looks a little odd given it has five names each with one victory.

Another interesting point was that this was the first Saints game not to be broadcast live this season.

Finally thanks to the 91 people who voted.  Keep it going please.

To see the full results and analysis please click through to the following page.

Saints V Exeter MoTM

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 18/10/2010 21:57

ComeOnYouSaints.com
18/10/2010 21:57

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Connect
18/10/2010 22:15

Exeter?

Edinburgh?

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Saint Tim
18/10/2010 22:17

Ok I was a couple behind. Now only Castres to do and I am up to date.

If you want to make me happy vote for this weeks MoTM Vs Edinburgh.



“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

Benjamin Franklin

Tetleys Block F E143

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Connect
18/10/2010 22:19

Sorry, mate, I thought I was being witty!











Doesn't work, does it.....

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Saint Tim
18/10/2010 22:21

I sort of guessed ;-)

It is also an hour later here and I am about to turn in. Goodnight all!



“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

Benjamin Franklin

Tetleys Block F E143

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