Horstmann hails Cup win
By Mark Stevens
5/11/17
Kai Horstmann hailed his Exeter Chiefs team-mates as they kicked off their Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign with a 43-28 victory over Northampton Saints at Sandy Park.
Last season’s beaten finalists produced a powerful display in their opening fixture of the new season, running in seven tries to brush aside the attentions of the Midlanders, whose scant reward on the day was to pick up a try bonus point.
Winger James Short set the Chiefs on their way claiming the opening try, before Toby Salmon (2), Alec Hepburn, James Freeman, Elvis Taione and Tom O’Flaherty followed suit during the remainder of the match.
Across the park, however, the Chiefs were in fine fettle with the experienced Horstmann - a winner of the competition with the Devon club in 2014 - leading from the front.
“To ship 28 points is disappointing from our standards, so there is lots to work on defensively but, as I just said to the lads in the changing room, there are a huge amount of positives to take from the game,” said the Exeter No.8.
“To put 40-odd points on what was a very strong Northampton side was a good effort and it’s given us a strong start to the competition.”
With a healthy mix of youth and experience spread across the Exeter ranks, Horstmann praised the way in which the squad came together, particularly debutants Freeman, O’Flaherty, Sal M’Boge and Sam Morley.
“I thought the new boys did really well,” added Horstmann. “They looked completely in control of their performance. They didn’t look out of place and they all stepped up really well. We had spoken earlier in the day about stepping up and taking responsibility for your actions, and they all did that.
“Also, it was great to see the likes of Sam Hill and Devo [Ollie Devoto] back after injury. I thought they brought great energy to the team - as did all the guys - and it’s exciting for the club. As I said, we’ve got work to do this next week because Scarlets away next week will be a big challenge for us.
“That said, there is a good vibe within the changing room, the guys are excited about working hard, and the bar has been set high in terms of what we want to achieve.”
