Hunter hails Chiefs display

By Mark Stevens

Exeter forwards coach Rob Hunter was full of praise for the Chiefs as they produced a ruthless display to sink visiting Bath 59-14 in their latest Westcountry Challenge Cup.

The Devon club leapfrogged Gloucester back to the summit of the three-team group as they ran in nine tries during a powerful display against their nearest rivals at Sandy Park.

Three penalties tries helped to lay the foundations for this latest victory, whilst Ian Whitten, Ollie Atkins, Moray Low (2) and Sam Skinner also got in on the try-scoring act. Debutant Joe Simmonds did the rest of the damage for the home side as he produced a flawless kicking display to finish with 19 points.

In reply, Luke Arscott and Brett Herron claimed second half scores - both of which were converted - for the visitors, but it was scant reward on a tough afternoon in Devon.

Post-match, Hunter was delighted with the efforts of the Exeter players, particularly those up front, where the Chiefs reigned supreme in the set-piece exchanges.

“We’re really pleased with today,” assessed Hunter. “Again we got a lot of guys some really good time and some of the young players also got their first go in the shirt as well. We’ve come through at the end in good shape, so all in all it’s been a good day.”

Exeter’s win came just a fortnight after they defeated Gloucester on home soil in the inaugural fixture of the new pre-season competition.

Both the Chiefs and Gloucester are due to meet again on October 3 at Bristol’s Memorial Stadium, before Exeter then head to Bath a week later for their final warm-up clash ahead of the new season.

Already Hunter knows those two upcoming tests promise to be much tougher for his squad, but he says the challenge will be just what the Chiefs need ahead of their Aviva Premiership opener away to Bath on October 17.

“We will have bigger challenges next time because they will be a lot better when we play them,” said Hunter. “They were missing a few today, but I thought our control at times was very good and we made some really good decisions, especially after half time when they brought on what you’d say were more of their stronger, experienced guys.

“As I said, we managed to keep a good measure of control and that’s very pleasing moving forward.”

With head coach Rob Baxter somewhat critical in the wake of his side’s win over Gloucester last time out, Hunter admitted the coaching staff were pleased to see a number of differences in the home play, particularly in defence where they gave scant reward to their rivals.

“We were definitely a lot stronger today,” continued Hunter. “We had a few things to work on after the last game, but a lot of the errors in that game were more what you’d call enthusiasm ones - guys coming out of the line and just going for things they didn’t really need to.

“I thought today we had a much better shape to our defence, our tackling was quality and we had a real mindset to keep the scoreline down. Sometimes it’s very easy when you score a lot of points to then also conceded a lot as well.

“As we know from last year that makes a real difference come the end of the season because there were games last season where we were very good, but then conceded some late tries. London Irish here springs to mind and had we not leaked those tries that would have put us in the top four.

“That’s why we have a real focus to have that mean mindset which is the same in defence as it is in attack.”

With Academy youngster Simmonds claiming a deserved man of the match accolade from fly-half, Hunter was also encouraged by the display of others within the home ranks, including England international Tom Johnson and young lock Jonny Hill (pictured).

“To have Tom Johnson back and charging around in the same mindset as he was a couple of years ago is great. He had a tough time last year having to sit behind a few folk, but now he’s really pushing hard again.

“At the same time, I’ve got to mention the young guys - like Jonny Hill - who has had 17 months out with injury. We took a punt on him because he came across as a brilliant lad who really wanted to be given a shot. Physically the guys have done a great job to get him back out on the pitch, but to see him charging around, making tackles like he did today, it’s fantastic.”