Happy Hunter salutes his Chiefs

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs forwards coach Rob Hunter was full of praise for his side as they returned to winning ways with an 18-0 victory over visiting London Irish in the Aviva Premiership.

Two first half penalties from fly-half Henry Slade gave the Chiefs a 6-0 lead at the interval, before tries from centres Phil Dollman and Ian Whitten, one of which was converted by Slade, helped to end Exeter's five-game losing streak in the top flight.

Although it wasn't vintage stuff from Devon's finest, Hunter and his fellow coaches admitted they were more than happy to rediscover their winning touch against a weary-looking Exiles.

"It's a nice tonic, but we're not going to lie, it wasn't the perfect game and we have stuff to work on," admitted Hunter post-match. "That said, to keep another Premiership side to zero is a pretty good achievement and it doesn't happen very often.

"I think a huge amount of credit has to go to the boys for all the work that they have put in this week and then transferring that onto the pitch. Keeping your line intact in a game where you have been under pressure - as we have in the last few months - is a great achievement.

"To keep a side to zero doesn't happen often at this level, but our defensive discipline was very good today. If you don't give away cheap penalties at the breakdown, you don't cough up territory and it makes it very difficult for the opposition.

"I think moving forward what we have to match is our attacking decision-making with our defensive stuff as well. That's something we are really pushing at the moment because at times we are electric in attack and at times we're very solid in defence, the key is making sure we have both those things every week."

Ahead of kick-off head coach Rob Baxter had called the game a "must-win" for his team and Hunter was impressed with the way the Exeter players rose to the challenge after having the pressure heaped on them by their leader.

"What we have to get better at is dealing with pressure," said Hunter. "There is an expectation that we are a young side that has a lot to learn - we are an evolving club - but we have performed quite well in the past few months, but the odd mistake has undone us.

"However, if you hide behind those odd little things - whether it is mistakes or decisions not going your way - you miss the point. The point is there are a lot of things we can control and that is what we should focus on, then we can get better as a team.

"Don't worry about the pressure - we want the pressure - we want to be in the semi-finals next week and we want to be pushing hard to be in the top half of the league table."

With the Chiefs set for a two-week break from Premiership action, next up for Hunter and Exeter is a crunch LV= Cup semi-final date with arch rivals Bath Rugby at the Rec this Sunday (1pm).

Undone twice already this season in the league, the Chiefs - who have yet to taste victory over their near neighbours in 11 games since their elevation into the Premiership back in 2010 - know there is no better incentive than a home final at Sandy Park on March 16 to ignite their charge.

"I can't wait for the game," said Hunter. "There is no doubt we want to beat Bath and we have every reason to after the last few games. Obviously there is a home final up for grabs as well, so it's a massive game for us.

"Right now, though, will relax for a few days, we'll enjoy the fact we have played in a hard Premiership game and then we'll fully focus on Bath and getting through that semi-final next week."