Second half show delights Hepher
By Mark Stevens
7/3/21
Exeter Chiefs head coach Ali Hepher praised his side as they returned to winning ways in the Gallagher Premiership with a 38-16 victory away to rivals Bath Rugby.
A dominant second half display saw the defending champions not only claim the local bragging rights in this latest Westcountry derby, but at the same time put to bed the disappointment of recent losses to Northampton Saints and Sale Sharks.
Tries from Tom O’Flaherty (2), Sam Skinner (2), Sam Simmonds and Jonny Gray were the highlights for the Chiefs, who after 20 minutes at the Recreation Ground had trailed to a converted Ruairdh McConnochie try and two penalties from Rhys Priestland.
First quarter aside, Exeter’s display was hugely impressive and just what was needed as the Devonians look to keep pace with table-toppers Bristol Bears, who themselves secured a narrow away win at Worcester Warriors.
“We were desperate for that win after a couple of near misses in the last two weeks,” said Hepher. “We’re really pleased to come through like we did and secure the win. I thought we were a little bit down in our belief in the first 20 minutes, a few errors and some soft penalties cost us a bit, but once we got into the game, I thought we we looked back to our best.
“Our second half performance was very strong and in the last ten minutes we really piled the pressure on Bath. As I said, I’m pleased with the way in which the guys fought through the game and now we go onto next week [against Harlequins]. I want us to believe from the start that we are a top side.”
Although Bath dominated the early exchanges, once winger O’Flaherty had claimed the opening try for the Chiefs, there was no looking back.
“Sometimes it takes time to break sides down - and there is no fault in that,” explained Hepher. “The disappointing part was the penalties we were conceding and the silly errors, which frustrated us. Once we got into our rhythm, we found quite a bit of space. Fair play to our lads, they worked hard - against a top side - and we got our rewards in the end.”
With club captain Jack Yeandle suspended and Luke Cowan-Dickie away with England, Jack Innard made the most of his chance to shine in the No.2 jersey for the Devonians. His eye-catching display saw him earn the BT Sport Man of the Match accolade, as well as a glowing endorsement from Hepher.
The coach added: “He didn’t go low on minutes, did he?
“I thought he did fantastic and put in a real shift. He’s been behind two quality hookers for much of the season, but he’s been given his opportunity today and he’s grabbed it, so we’re delighted.”
Equally, there were others off the bench who made their mark when called upon, including forwards Ben Moon, Tomas Francis and Jannes Kirsten, as well as scrum-half Stu Townsend, who was particularly lively in his second half cameo.
“I thought all the bench made a significant difference,” said Hepher. “It was what we wanted from them, particularly in that last quarter. Obviously, a lot of the foundations were laid down by those who started the game, but it was then backed up by those guys coming off the bench.”
Next up for the Chiefs are back-to-back home games against Harlequins and Leicester Tigers and Hepher is hopeful his team can use this latest display as a springboard to attack the remainder of this month’s action.
“It’s an important couple of games for us,” continued the head coach. “We didn’t win at home last time [against Northampton] and we left a few things out there, so there are things we need to improve on. Today, though, was a step in the right direction and now we have to turn up again against a side that is bang on form.”