Pellow praises 'clinical' Chiefs

By Mark Stevens

Skills coach Ricky Pellow hailed the "clinical edge" of the Exeter Chiefs as they booked themselves a place in the last four of this season's LV= Cup.

In a rampant display at Sixways, the Chiefs blew aside hosts Worcester Warriors 42-3 to set up a semi-final encounter with local rivals Bath next month.

Tries from Tom James, Haydn Thomas (2), Ceri Sweeney and Gareth Steenson - who finished the game with a personal haul of 22 points - helped to secure top spot for the Devon club in Pool Two.

In reply, the Warriors landed a first half penalty from full-back Chris Pennell, but that was their scant reward on a disappointing day at the office for Dean Ryan's side.

Afterwards, a delighted Pellow was full of praise for the way the Chiefs had gone about their business.

"It was a massively pleasing day for us," said Pellow. "Our performance was very professional and we went out there and focused on the key points we had talked about in the week. Throughout we really put a stranglehold on the game and to come away with the performance, the result and also a place in the semi-finals is very pleasing.

"I thought we were clinical throughout the game and we got our rewards for that. Our set-piece went well first half and we put a stranglehold on them at scrum time and that gave us a real platform from which to work.

"In the second half, it was that work we had put in during the first half that really allowed us to play. Our defensive set in that last five minutes, even when we were 30-odd points up, enabled us to force errors and shows the amount of energy the guys have put in."

With the Chiefs set for a return to Aviva Premiership action on Saturday at home to Northampton Saints, the need to keep building momentum was essential according to Pellow.

"Before today we had won our last two games [against Cardiff Blues and Ospreys], so it was important to keep that run going," added Pellow. "Today our squad was definitely stronger than previous rounds where we have used the opportunity to blood some of the youngsters or get some game time into some of the more senior guys who needed it.

"However, as we saw last week against the Ospreys and earlier in the competition against Harlequins, we've got the squad to compete in both the LV= Cup and the Premiership and this result today will give us good momentum going into the Northampton game next week."

Although the Premiership will dominate the thoughts of the Chiefs for the next month at least, Pellow says the incentive of a place in this year's LV= Cup Final, which will take place at their own Sandy Park base, will ensure their latest trip to Bath will be a cracker of a contest.

"When we first set out in the competition we didn't talk too much about trying to get to the final or things like that," said Pellow. "Now, though, if we can get a good performance in the semi-final, then who knows what will happen after that. Each year we talk about being better and already we've done that, we've gone a stage further than we have for the past two years, when we've been very close to qualifying, but now we'll look to push on even further and hopefully get into that final."

Like Pellow, Exeter's forwards coach Rob Hunter was equally pleased to see the Devon club advance into the latter stages of the Anglo-Welsh competition.

"What we wanted was a really tough work out. It was an added bonus that there was a semi final place on offer," said Hunter. "We look forward to that match but in the meantime we've got Northampton coming to town next week and our thoughts very quickly turn to that.

"Other than the defence at the end, our set-piece went very well, we put a lot of pressure on Worcester at the line-out as well so that went well. It was also good to see Jack Yeandle and Chris Whitehead back.

"Similarly, Haydn Thomas has been out for a few weeks and Hoani Tui was stretchered off at Wasps a month ago so it's great to see those guys back and playing.

"We knew we were playing well so from a confidence point of view we don't have too many highs and lows. We know we're a good side, some weeks we play really well, some weeks we don't play as well.

"We know the reasons for that and we're working to keep getting better. It gives you some good momentum to go back into the Premiership."