Match Reaction - Susie Appleby

By Harry Scott-Munro
14/11/21

Exeter Chiefs Women’s Head Coach Susie Appleby admitted that overall she was “pleased” as her side made it back-to-back victories in the Allianz Cup with a 34-14 victory over visiting Worceter Warriors at Sandy Park.

The Chiefs scored five tries in all, through home debutant Abby Middlebrooke, Garnet Mackinder, Flo Robinson, Clara Nielson and Patricia Garcia, with the Spanish scrum-half adding three conversions and a penalty from the tee.

The Chiefs raced into a 29-0 lead before the break, before Worcester hit back in the second half.

Whilst Appleby admitted that she was disappointed with how her side dropped off in the second half, she was pleased that a number of players “really put their hands up” as they made significant impacts upon the match.

“There were some good performances out there today, particularly in the first half,” said Appleby. “We knocked off a bit in second-half, which was a bit disappointing, but there was some really good stuff out there. Some girls really put their hands up for when it comes to selection for our next opposition in two weeks’ time.”

Three of those players singled out by Appleby were back-row trio Ebony Jefferies, Eilidh Sinclair and Maisy Allen, with Appleby pleased that her back-row is continuing to “develop really well.”

“They are picking up on each other’s nuances and what they do really well on and off the ball. It takes a while to gel, but I thought they were standout again,” Appleby explained. “Nancy as well, was really good at 12.”

Jefferies and full-back Merryn Doidge both made their 25^th appearances for the side at Sandy Park, meaning they are the only two players to have played every match for Exeter Chiefs Women. Afterwards, Appleby reserved special praise for what they bring to the side.

“They are outstanding. They ooze what this place is all about. Local players doing really well on the field every time for that Chiefs badge. I’m really pleased for both today and I’m sure there will be lots more of that coming,” beamed Appleby.

Whilst delighted with the first half showing, Appleby could still see room for improvement moving into the Premier 15s against Loughborough Lightning in a fortnight’s time.

“I spend my life looking at the breakdown, working on it and being pleased like I was in the first half,” she added. “Then, in the second- half, we weren’t very accurate. We need to look a little at game management, but in the first half we were pretty spot on with it. We’ll have a look at a few pictures, but it was a really pleasing defensive performance again, especially in the first half. There are little bits to work on and there could potentially be different players again in two weeks’ time.”

With that return to league action on the horizon, Appleby has made the most of this two-week Cup period to test the strength in depth of her squad. With so many players having their first experience of playing in an Exeter shirt over the last two weeks, the Head Coach explained how it was important to maintain “continuity” as her side continues to develop.

“It’s how to maintain continuity in the game, but not put people on for the sake of it. Not everyone got on but those that did, some of them made significant contributions, which was great.”