Match Reaction - Ricky Pellow
By Mark Stevens
14/11/21
Exeter Chiefs coach Ricky Pellow says he took plenty of positives from his side’s narrow defeat to Bristol Bears in the opening round of this season’s Premiership Rugby Cup.
In an entertaining encounter at Sandy Park, the youthful Chiefs stormed into a 14-0 lead thanks to converted tries from James Kenny and Jack Walsh.
Bristol, though, countered with two of their own before the break, the first being a penalty try, before Sam Bedlow crossed with virtually the last play of the half.
A second Walsh try, coupled with a penalty from Josh Hodge, helped the Chiefs to regain a 10-point buffer after the break, but it was the Bears who clawed their way back, claiming tries from Will Capon, Dan Thomas and Macenzzie Duncan before a second Hodge penalty rescued a late losing bonus point for the hosts.
Post-game, Pellow reflected on his side’s overall display, saying: “We said before the game, if we can come off the pitch and come into the changing rooms, proud of the performance we have put, then that’s all we could ask of the guys. Of course, you want to chase the result, but I thought the way the guys fought and the emotion they put into the game was exactly what we asked for.
“You could see by the way the crowd got behind the team, it felt fluke an Exeter Chiefs performance of old. For me - and the other coaches - we couldn’t be more prouder of that young group.”
Although it was another home defeat for the Devonians this term, Pellow remained upbeat afterwards, stating there were a plethora of high points that he and the coaches could work with moving forward.
“We’re aware results here haven’t been quite what we wanted - that’s not just today, but in other weeks - but I thought today we kept it simple, we got where we wanted in terms of speed of ball and that was our key focus throughout. I thought the young guys brought real energy and commitment and the work they put in was exactly where we want it to be as a club.
“Getting 14 points up, then 10 points up again in the second half, we got that because we worked hard for one another. Bristol, we knew, were going to have moments in the game and that showed, especially late on. However, I thought we kept working throughout and in the end we got that reward of a bonus point late on.”
With the Chiefs handing out first-team debuts to Oli Burrows, Dafydd Jenkins, Sean O’Brien and Arthur Relton in the starting line-up, the future of the club looks in good stead with a number of other young stars taking their chance to shine on the big stage.
“I thought Jack Walsh and Sam Maunder led the side very well from half-back,” added Pellow. “They’ve obviously been playing together at Taunton this season and you could see they had a real understanding between them. They were behind a pack of forwards who gave them a real platform to work off and again, I thought Oli Burrows and Daf Jenkins were outstanding.
“Behind them, Ian Whitten and Sean O’Brien were quality in the centre and Josh Hodge, Dan John and Arthur Relton were equally as good in the back three.
“Now, we need to reset again and come in Monday ready to get excited about going to Gloucester next week. Of course, we will iron out a few of the issues from today, but equally we will look to build on the positives as well from the performance.”