Match Reaction - Ali Hepher
By Mark Stevens
13/2/22
Ali Hepher was full of praise for his Exeter Chiefs side as they bounced back to winning ways in the Gallagher Premiership with a 24-15 victory over high-flying Gloucester at Sandy Park.
After the disappointment of their last-gasp loss at home to Wasps the previous week, the Chiefs responded in fine fashion in this latest encounter, producing a stellar showing to claim all five points.
Tries from Jack Innard, Patrick Schickerling, Olly Woodburn and Tom O’Flaherty, two of which were converted by skipper Joe Simmonds, were the highlights in a hugely encouraging display from the Devonians.
Gloucester countered with scores of their own from Freddie Clarke, Santiago Carreras and Charlie Chapman, but it was never going to be enough to thwart their hosts, who are now just three points adrift of the play-off places.
Post-game, head coach Hepher was quick to talk up his side’s latest performance, saying: “Obviously, we’re delighted with the win. I can’t say enough about these boys, the energy they are putting into training and the feel about the place, it’s really exciting as we move forward.
“The guys came up a bit short last week - and we should have closed out that game - so we were disappointed afterwards. That said, the credit has to go to the way they have put that disappointment to one side and come out against to produce a performance like that. In sport, that’s sometimes the hardest thing to do, especially against a top side like Gloucester, but they’ve done that and they deserve all the plaudits tonight.”
Up against the elements in the first half, the Chiefs produced a workmanlike effort in all areas to turn around at the break drawing 5-5. Such was their dominance and ability to keep hold of the ball, they made the Cherry & Whites tackle them for what seemed the length of the half.
The tackle count of Exeter 11, Gloucester 162 was indicative of just how impressive the Chiefs were during that opening 40 minutes.
“There are always learns to take from any game, but you can’t fault the way they are throwing themselves at the game,” added Hepher. “In that, there are a couple of youngsters really leading the way and that’s great for the future. Equally, they are performing now, which is great!
“For those guys wanting to come back into the side, they are going to have it tough, just because of the levels and the standards this group are setting. But for us as coaches, the most important thing is these guys are passionate and they are really driving that emotional side of the club, which is what it has always been about here.”
As Hepher remarked, a number of the clubs highly-rated youngsters again stepped up to the plate to deliver, but equally some of the club’s elder statesman were just as impressive.
Leading the way was South African Jannes Kirsten, who drew special praise from his coach.
“Jannes over these last few weeks has been immense,” said Hepher. “Again today, he was just phenomenal with the work he got through. Equally, Don Armand missed last week but he came back in and he was hugely competitive and smart, using all that experience he has.
“Those guys, along with the young players coming through like they are, it’s great to see. Now, though, we have to go again because this is a huge block of fixtures coming up for us. Now we have to go to Newcastle next week and show that same kind of emption and spirit if we want to give ourselves the same chance to win that game.”