Appleby's joy as champions defeated
By Harry Scott-Munro
31/1/21
Exeter Chiefs Women’s Head Coach Susie Appleby believes it “wasn’t a coincidence” that her side shocked reigning Allianz Premier 15 champions Saracens in their latest fixture at Sandy Park.
Having secured back-to-back victories over Sale Sharks and Bristol Bears, the newly-formed Chiefs claimed their big scalp yet, securing a memorable 22-14 victory that ended the Londoners 33-match unbeaten run.
A first half score from Poppy Leitch, along with a penalty from Gabby Cantorna gave the home side an 8-0 half-time advantage, before further scores from Kate Zackary and debutant Rachel Johnson put the seal on Exeter’s latest success.
Naturally, Appleby was delighted with her side’s showing, saying at the final whistle: “All credit to the girls. It’s credit to those that were on the field as well as the wider squad, because we’ve all been working really hard, through Christmas and then with the enforced break. Today, we’ve just kept on with the task and where we wanted to get to. We really deserved that win.”
In what were testing conditions, both overhead and underfoot, Appleby was keen to highlight the improvements her side have made in decision-making, that allowed them to secure a famous result.
“It wasn’t a coincidence that we’ve been making poor decisions at key moments in games and playing in the wrong areas of the field,” she said. “We needed to get better at that and we were definitely much better at that today.”
The superb performance was built upon a ferocious defensive effort from the Chiefs, led by the ever- impressive Gabby Cantorna and Kate Zackary.
“What that bought was our ability to enforce a huge defence on an opposition that are a very good side,” explained Appleby. “Because we played in the right areas of the field, they couldn’t get out. It was a much smarter performance, really satisfying to get to where we wanted to get to.
“Gabby Cantorna in the centre field, her physicality today was just next level, while Kate Zackary is always there performing.”
Appleby, though, reserved special praise for young scrum-half Flo Robinson who shone in just her second start of the season.
“l’ll tell you who stood out for me, Flo Robinson at none. She’s a young player, new into the game, but she’s absorbed it all, she was just brilliant today. That said, there’s loads of individuals, but all in all, a brilliant team performance.”
The match also saw debuts for Joanna Kitlinski, Rachel Johnson, Meg Davies and Laura Sheehan, with Johnson’s late score proving decisive. Appleby was impressed with the impact her new signings made.
“Rachel, first thing she did was carry and get absolutely nailed by Poppy Cleall, but she just rode it. The next thing she did was floor someone with her line speed and that’s what she brings. Meg has been waiting, another young scrum-half. We’re getting to develop these young players, which is just brilliant. The squad is growing every single day and that’s the brilliant thing.”
The challenge for the Chiefs now is to back this performance up next weekend with table toppers Harlequins coming to Sandy Park. Appleby is aware of the challenge that they will bring, but also keen to emphasise just how much her squad has grown and developed since the sides last played.
“We played Quins game three. Pat (Garcia) and Bimba (Laura Delgado) hadn’t even met the squad that day when they stepped on the field. We’re a whole different world from where we were then, as will they be. Quins’ are an absolutely quality outfit. The exciting thing is that we’ve done that today and that’s tremendous but the girls are just desperate to go again.”