Match Reaction - Susie Appleby
By Harry Scott-Munro
5/2/22
After a week of difficult questions, Exeter Chiefs Women’s Head Coach Susie Appleby admitted that she was “really proud” as her side put in a gargantuan performance to secure a thrilling 36-32 victory over Gloucester-Hartpury in the Allianz Premier 15s.
A hat-trick from co-captain Kate Zackary, along with further scores from Rachel Johnson, Clara Nielson and the returning Kanako Kobayashi proved enough for the Chiefs, with Patricia Garcia adding three conversions.
The aftermath of last weekend’s draw with Wasps had seen some tough questions from within the side and Appleby was delighted with the response from her side.
She said: “It’s a really pleasing result and we really got a response. It’s been an interesting week with Covid and other challenges, but the girls have worked really hard and really listened. Ultimately, it was all about what happened today and I though the girls were phenomenal.”
The Chiefs opened their account after just five minutes, when Kobayashi pounced after some stunning work from the pack. On her first appearance since returning from injury, Appleby was thrilled with the performance of the centre alongside South African Zintle Mpupha.
“Kanako really showed her class. She’s been showing it since she came back from injury and to settle back onto the field like she did today, she was just brilliant,” added Appleby. “I thought she really brought the best out of Zintle alongside her as well. They are going to get better and better as a combination.”
Appleby was also delighted with how her side adjusted to several late alterations, with the new-look half-back pairing of Brooke Bradley and Garcia controlling play well and Zackary leading from the front with an imperious performance.
“I thought our half-backs controlled the game reasonably well considering they haven’t worked too much together,” she said. “Also, the pack were immense. Kate was on her finest form for quite a few weeks. It’s really pleasing.”
Commenting on the performance of her No.8, Appleby admitted that she had challenged Zackary to “just be herself,” with the message certainly seeming to do the trick.
“I gave Kate the message today to be herself once she broke off the base. I wanted her to show everyone what she has got and that’s exactly what she did at the first opportunity. She showed what a world class player she is across the pitch today,” beamed Appleby.
Appleby could still see areas where she wanted her side to improve, notably in their front defence. Despite the need for improvement, Appleby made sure to credit the goal line defence from her side, that saw them hold Gloucester-Hartpury up twice over the line, and withstand wave after wave of pressure.
“You concede penalties off the back of pressure that’s created but when it came to it, that goal line defence was just outstanding,” Appleby highlighted. “Our goal-line defence was absolutely outstanding. We need to look at smartening up a few bits in our front-line defence to not let them in, but I’m pleased.”
Appleby has targeted this block of three games as season-defining encounters and was pleased with the performance of her side, as well as the result.
“We’re moving forward with every game. Today I thought we really did move forward. Not because of the scoreline, but because of what we did on the pitch and the confidence we gained on the pitch. That understanding is growing week in, week out and I’m looking forward to a good two weeks of training.”
With two weeks until the next match away at Loughborough Lightning, Appleby admitting that it would be another huge game for her side.
“We’ll do some more work together and then it’s going to be a huge game against Loughborough, who are ever improving.”