Baxter delighted with away win

By Mark Stevens
18/2/17

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter was full of praise for his side as they came from behind to sink rivals Worcester Warriors 48-32 in the Aviva Premiership at Sixways.

Down by a solitary point at half time 18-17, the Devon club made the most of a yellow card to Worcester No.8 Alafoti Faosiliva early in the second period to  put them on course for their eighth league win of the season.

Winger James Short led the way for the visitors, scoring a hat-trick of tries on the day, while Gareth Steenson, Sam Simmonds, Olly Woodburn and Michele Campagnaro (pictured) also found their way over the line.

Steenson and Henry Slade shared the remainder of the points for the Chiefs, who are now level on 49 points with second-placed Saracens, who themselves had lost at the same venue just seven days earlier.

In reply, Worcester played their part in an entertaining encounter and they grabbed themselves a vital losing bonus point when centre Jackson Willison crossed for a fourth try with the very last move of the match.

Earlier, Josh Adams and Perry Humphreys had claimed first half tries, while Kiwi winger Bryce Heem added a third in the second half.

However, it was never enough to deny the Chiefs from securing a tenth win in ten top flight games against the Warriors, who are now six points clear of Bristol at the bottom of the table.

“I’m very pleased,” said a happy Baxter at the final whistle. “I know there were some negatives in the fact we conceded a lot of points for a second week running, but as I just said to the players it’s not something I will make a big fuss about at this moment.

“Instead, I’d rather applaud the players for their approach to the game and the manner in which they acquitted themselves.  The last thing we talked about in the team hotel before coming here was how much we would need to bring, both individually and collectively, over the 80 minutes.

“We knew the game wasn’t going to be decided in the first 10 or 15 minutes, but we knew they would bring a lot of intensity early on and that is what happened. I’m not sure if we defended badly in that period or that Worcester were very hot and brought a lot to the game.”

Baxter added: “Perhaps it was a bit of both, but Worcester committed a lot of energy to that early part of the game and so did we. What I liked from us, however, was that we kept the game moving and we kept things fluid. We felt over the 80 minutes that would get the best rewards and that is what you saw happen.

“As I said, I’m so pleased for the players that when under pressure on the scoreboard and under pressure from Worcester, we didn’t panic in any way. What we actually did was redouble our efforts, played multi-phase rugby, and moved them around which, over time, created space and try-scoring opportunities for us.”

Among those to benefit from that tactic were wingers Short (pictured) and Woodburn, both of whom were on the scoresheet.

“I thought both our wingers were outstanding and grew into the game the more it went on,” continued Baxter. “They became more and more lively and the surface really suited Shorty. He’s a guy with electric pace who is going to be lethal on a fast surface. Together they just looked strong and comfortable and were one of the key factors for us seizing control of the game.

“I also thought Shaun Malton was outstanding. For him to come in just a minute or two before kick-off when Jack Yeandle went down in the warm-up with illness – and then play as well as he did and contribute in the manner he did, I thought he was outstanding.”

Despite the number of points conceded, the only other area of concern for Baxter afterwards was the the well-bring of Steenson, who was forced out of the action with a hamstring injury during the second half.

“At this stage it’s a bit early to know just how serious it is,” said the Exeter coach. “The fact he didn’t come off immediately means we’re hopeful it’s not anything too bad, but we’ll have a look after the weekend and go from there.”