Short savours derby triumph

By Mark Stevens
1/1/17

Match winner James Short admitted he and his Exeter Chiefs side had to “dig deep” to snatch victory from the grasp of rivals Bath at the Recreation Ground.

Entering into the final quarter of this full-blooded derby encounter, the Chiefs trailed by 11 points after George Ford had stroked over two penalties and Semesa Rokoduguni had bagged a try in a dominant first half display.

However, once Gareth Steenson got the visitors up and running with a sweetly-struck penalty, Rob Baxter’s side seemingly grew in confidence and they claimed a first-ever league win in the Roman City courtesy of Short’s two converted tries.

The celebrations which followed for the Devonians will live long in the memory, but Short said it took some strong words at the break from Baxter to really ignite the Exeter fires.

“Across the board it wasn’t a Chiefs-type performance in that first half,” said the 27-year-old back. “We knew it wasn’t us and there was a fair bit of honest talking in the changing room at half time.We had to up things and work on our physicality.

“In the end the boys dug deep in that second half, trying to put things right, and in the last five or ten minutes it really showed.”

Short’s brace not only took his seasonal tally to six tries, but it also ensured the Chiefs were able to emerge from the Rec with victory for the first time in seven Premiership attempts.

“Steeno just said in the changing room that today is the first time he’s won here, so I think it meant a lot to some of the older boys who have been here a while,” added Short. “All week it’s been a talking point for us and there was a fair bit of emotion shown in the changing room at the end.”

Next up for the Chiefs will be Saturday’s trip to Short’s former club, Saracens, at Allianz Park (3pm).

Having defeated the Chiefs three times last season, including in the Premiership Final itself at Twickenham, the Londoners then got the better of Exeter in this season’s opening meeting at Sandy Park, winning that day 34-13.

The Redhill-born flyer says he would love to get the better of his former employers, but knows the threat Mark McCall’s men will pose, particularly on the artificial surface in Barnet.

“Obviously they are playing well, like always, so we know it’s going to be a big test for us,” said Short.”I’ve never beat them before, so I’d loved to go up there and do that, not just because it’s them, but because we need to maintain our momentum.”

This latest win, however, ensured Exeter rounded off a memorable 2016 not only with victory, but by moving up to third spot, hot on the heels of leaders Wasps and next best Saracens.

“It’s been a big year for all of us at the club,” added Short. “I don’t think we could have asked for a better result to finish on, but we know we must look to build on it moving forward.”