Jack's joy at new deal

 

An Exeter Chiefs supporter as a boy, it wouldn't surprise you that Jack Yeandle was delighted to sign a new one-year deal at Sandy Park, but the hooker insists he will be far happier when his side can reverse their barren run of form.

Friday night's 21-16 Aviva Premiership defeat to bottom side Sale Sharks stretched Exeter's winless streak to four games with December 1 being the last time they tasted victory with a 30-23 victory over London Wasps.

And having been unable to convert a host of first-half chances as well as keep their discipline in the second half, Yeandle admits the frustration has lead to a more regimented feel at training this week.

But boosted by the knowledge they are just three points worse off right now than they were at the same stage last season, the 24-year-old believes his side need only put together an unbeaten run to march back on up the Aviva Premiership table.

"We need to bounce back, it is as simple as that," said Yeandle. "Sale took advantage of our mistakes and we gave them the game with our ill-discipline - we gave away too many penalties and didn't take our chances when they came along.

"If we can sort out the discipline we can win, I have no doubts. We've been trying to implement into training already. Within our training matches the refereeing is a lot stricter to we make sure those little errors aren't coming in. We are really looking to put a run together. We are only three points off where we were last season and in the same league position so that is encouraging if we get a run of wins.

"Personally I am delighted to sign again for another year. I was very keen to stay here, it is a club with big ambitions and moving in the right direction and it is my local club too. I supported them as a kid and I used to watch them at the old County Ground and it is nice to be involved with the club you aspired to play for as a boy."

On his Aviva Premiership inauguration, the former Doncaster man feels he is beginning to get to grips with its fast pace - thanks largely to the input of his more experienced team-mates.

And with the prospect of facing Saracens in their first Aviva Premiership clash at new home Allianz Park, Yeandle hopes he has impressed enough to play a role in what he hopes is a Chiefs victory.

"The Aviva Premiership is a step up and a lot quicker but you have the experienced players around you. I've had a lot more game time than I expected but it has been great," he added. "I think everyone at the club has chipped in with some advice. Obviously Neil Clark has helped with the hooker aspect and the likes of James Scaysbrook and Richard Baxter in the line-out.

"I would say my general understanding of everything has come on well. I don't need as long to think about what I am going to do in a situation. Personally I am taking each game as it comes and hopefully if I put the work in during training I will get more chances over the rest of the season."