Jessy's joy as Braves triumph

By David Bates
2/5/2016

Matt Jess is delighted Exeter Chiefs stayed in the hunt for an Aviva Premiership Rugby double after playing his part in a dominant 55-25 Braves win against Northampton Wanderers to seal the Aviva A League at Sandy Park.

Northampton crossed through Jamie Elliott after Michele Campagnaro powered over for Exeter’s first try and when departing veteran Brett Sturgess ran in the Braves’ second, Rory Hutchinson’s quick-thinking levelled proceedings.

The two sides were poised at 24-20 after a nip-and-tuck first-half in which Kai Horstmann and Elvis Taione also scored for the hosts, while Reece Marshall grabbed a third for Northampton and both kickers struggled in a swirling breeze.

The Wanderers took the lead immediately after half-time through Tom Collins' fine solo effort, but from then on it was all Braves as they ran in four more tries –through Horstmann, Tom Hendrickson, Ben White and Byron McGuigan – for 31 unanswered points.

And now winger Jess, who has been with Exeter since 2008, believes Rob Baxter’s men have what it takes to add the Aviva Premiership Rugby crown to their A League title.

“It is about making it a double, but it is about taking it game by game, next week Quins is going to be a big game, they’re going to give an emotional performance in Conor O’Shea’s last game,” the 32-year-old said.

“We have to go up there with the right mentality to first of all secure a win and then look to get a home semi-final. At the end of the day, it’s in our hands then – we’re in a semi anyway, which is outstanding for the club, but it is about pushing all aspects, all competitions and we’re doing that."

Jess thinks the current crop of youngsters such as try-scorer Hendrickson, Sam Skinner and Max Bodilly can go on to thrive in Aviva Premiership Rugby after cutting their teeth in the Aviva A League.

Jess, who has made over 100 league appearances for Exeter, suggested that the win indicated the Devon club’s huge strength in depth – something which will be of great comfort to Baxter going into a first ever top-flight semi-final.

He said: “Academy players are playing well, but then our international players like Michele Campagnaro are putting their hands up. I think Rob can have confidence that if there are any injuries that happen next week, we have got players to fill those voids.

“Max Bodily can definitely push on – he has to settle into position, he is playing 13, he has played wing and he can play full-back. Tom Hendrickson has come down for the last three A League games and really shown up well. I think he is certainly a talent to watch. Sam Skinner as well, you watch him and I think he is going to start rising into some serious performances next year.

“I’m pretty sure that Rob will put them in a first-team shirt when they are ready.”