Match Reaction - Ali Hepher

By Mark Stevens
5/11/22

Ali Hepher says his Exeter Chiefs side will continue to stay in the fight, despite slipping to a third successive Gallagher Premiership defeat at Northampton Saints.

Ruben Van Heerden’s early score, along with 14 points from fly-half Joe Simmonds, were not enough to prevent the Devonians from going down 26-19 at Franklin’s Gardens.

Tommy Freeman’s brace of tries and the boot of fly-half Fin Smith proved the downfall for the Chiefs, whose scant reward on the night was a losing bonus point.

Post-game, Hepher gave his assessment on his side’s latest showing: “Look, it’s a move on from last week [at Gloucester] and also at Sale earlier in the season where we lost the game, yet came away with nothing. To get a losing bonus point away from home is probably a par score, but equally we’re more than capable of winning games like this.

“There have been times this season - and again tonight - where we have been in control of things, but then handed the momentum back to the opposition. As a group, we’ll keep persevering and we’ll look to learn step by step.”

With a plethora of names missing through international call-ups and injuries, the loss of Ian Whitten in the opening ten minutes, then the loss of skipper Jack Yeandle and Olly Woodburn at the break, did little to help the Chiefs cause on the night.

“It’s not easy, especially when you lose guys so early in the game,” added Hepher. “That said, I thought Will Becconsall, who is a scrum-half by trade, yet we’ve made him play full-back and fly-half this season, really stepped up. He’s got a super rugby brain and we’ve got to keep pushing with these young guys.

“It’s the same with the likes of Josh Hodge and Dan John, they looked really dangerous at times, but there are areas of their game that we do need to iron out. We’ve got to use that youthful energy they bring, whilst at the same harness though key learns within their game.”

Next up for the Chiefs is Saturday’s home visit of London Irish to Sandy Park and Hepher is hopeful that return to familiar surroundings can help rediscover their winning formula.

“As I said, we’re pleased with the attitude of the guys, but we do need to iron out those little errors around the field. We know we will get better, because as a whole we’re working incredibly hard as a group. If we have that fight and we have that attitude, things will turn out way and we will get to where we want to be.”