Hepher hails Chiefs win
By Mark Stevens
23/2/19
Ali Hepher praised his Exeter Chiefs side as they returned to the top of the Gallagher Premiership table with a 35-17 victory over lowly Newcastle Falcons.
The Devonians wasted little time in rediscovering their winning formula, bouncing back from their defeat at Gloucester the week previous, by running in five tries at Sandy Park.
Argentinian international Santi Cordero set them on their way with an early try before Jack Yeandle and Olly Woodburn followed him over the try-line as the Chiefs led 21-7 at the break. Nic White collected the all-important bonus point early in the second half, after which fellow Aussie wrapped up the points with a fifth try.
Gareth Steenson, the club’s record points-scorer, slotted conversions to all five tries, while in reply the Falcons countered with scores of their own from Sonatane Takulua and Zach Kibirige (2), one of which was converted by former England international Toby Flood.
In what was Exeter’s first home game in six weeks, it was a sweet victory to savour for Chiefs head coach Hepher at the final whistle.
“It was a definite notch on from last week’s performance,” said Hepher. “We asked the guys to pour a bit more emotion into it than probably we released last week.
“There was a little bit better communication as well, we got organised and asked the guys to come onto the ball at pace and carry with leg drives, and we got those things and I am really pleased with how the guys applied themselves. It was a tough old battle out there, there were a lot of wounded people on both sides, and full credit to Newcastle, they were tough to break down.”
In the end, however, it was the power-play of the Chiefs, particularly through their abrasive pack, which helped cause the damage and lead them to an 11th league victory of the campaign.
Hepher added: “I think the game was won with our ball carrying and our ability on the ball to fight for that extra yard and pick up those metres in the contact areas, and exploit a little bit of space at times as well, which is an important area for us. We probably didn’t assert our attack enough last week and we asked the guys to deliver a bit more of a performance that we pride ourselves on, and we certainly got that.”
Among those to catch the eye for the home side were the back three of Cordero, Woodburn and Welsh international Alex Cuthbert.
Both Woodburn and Cuthbert have had their fair share of untimely injuries this season, but the sight of both man causing mayhem - alongside the fancy footwork of Cordero - was a sight that clearly excited the near capacity crowd. Woodburn capped a fine display with his first half score, while British Lion Cuthbert saw a score of his own chalked off in the second half by referee Luke Pearce for a forward pass.
Hepher, though, was quick to praise the performance of Cuthbert, who only joined the Chiefs last summer following a lengthy stint playing in Wales with the Cardiff Blues.
“It has been a little frustrating for him with injuries, but when he carries he is a big guy and he is all knees, elbows and arms and it makes him tough to stop,” he said. “He kept getting us on that front foot, and he was one of the key contributors to just getting us that momentum.
“He laid on a nice try for Santi (Cordero) with a bust and offload off the floor, so I am pleased with him. He works incredibly hard, he communicates very well on the field and he is a big, quick, strong guy who keeps offering himself up, so I am pleased with where he is at, and hopefully he stays relatively fit and we get to work with him in training and on the field as well.”
A tough trip on Saturday afternoon to Sale Sharks now awaits the Chiefs, and after the Manchester-based side’s 67-17 thrashing at Northampton Saints last weekend, they bounced back well with a 24-18 victory over Wasps at the Ricoh Arena.
“We knew in this block we had a tough set of three away fixtures and one at home, but we are excited, and it is a great challenge for us to go up to Sale,” said Hepher.
“They have been playing very well apart from that blip at Northampton, but they have won today, so we will have to be at our very best to get points out of the game, but that is what we have got to focus on and make sure our performance is right.
“If it is, and they are the better side, then congratulations to them, but we have got to make sure we set the bar with a level of performance that challenges them.”