Dream debut for young Chief Wyatt
By Alfie Martin
23/9/19
As far as dream debuts go, Exeter Chiefs youngster Tom Wyatt couldn’t have asked for better as he impressed all inside Sandy Park on Saturday with a top-shelf performance against Bath in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
Brought in to train with the Chiefs squad this pre-season, the 20-year-old has suitably impressed and his efforts were rewarded by Director of Rugby Rob Baxter at the weekend.
Running out with the No.13 shirt on his back, Wyatt wasted no time in making his presence well and truly felt on the pitch, bagging the game’s opening try on the 20-minute mark to set the tone for the rest of the game.
Wyatt was one of five debutants, alongside Jannes Kirsten, Stan South, James McRae and Rus Tuima, who started the game – and there were a handful more who came off the bench in the second half as the Chiefs ran out comfortable 28-14 victors.
For Taunton-born Wyatt, it was the stuff of dreams and understandably he was delighted come the final whistle.
“I really enjoyed getting out with the lads today,” he said. “I had good fun out there and the lads really grafted for that win. All the boys have worked extremely hard through the pre-season and it’s gone really well. “We’ve all bonded together well over the past couple months and we came out together as a close group of lads today.”
The centre’s score came off the back of some slick running from his inside number Tom Hendrickson, who offloaded the ball for Wyatt to score in fashion under the South Stand.
“The opportunity presented itself to me and I took it. It was such an incredible experience to cross the line off the back of such a team effort,” he added.
Moments later Hendrickson himself found his way over the whitewash, before winger Olly Woodburn got in on the act as the Chiefs led 21-0 at the break.
Bath were much improved in the second period and cut the deficit with converted tries from Levi Davis and Chris Cook, but it was left to another debutant, Barrie Karea, to put the seal on Exeter’s performance, the young centre finishing off good work from Joe Snow to ensure the Chiefs of the all-important bonus point win.
Wyatt commented on the experience of his team-mates alongside him, and just how pivotal their input was in keeping the game ticking over in the Chiefs’ favour.
“We’re really lucky to have the likes of Steeno [Gareth Steenson], Hendo [Tom Hendrickson] and the others on the pitch,” he continued. “They’re always talking and they’re always really helpful to us boys stepping up into the ranks.”
Hopefully, Wyatt will get another chance to shine this Friday when the Chiefs run out for their second Premiership Rugby Cup encounter, this time away to Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.