Pellow's joy at Braves display

By Mark Stevens

Ricky Pellow was full of praise for his Exeter Braves side as they made it three successive wins in this season’s Aviva Premiership A League with victory over Harlequins on Monday night.

In front of another bumper Sandy Park crowd, two tries from Byron McGuigan, plus eight points from the boot of Joe Simmonds, gave the Braves an 18-3 success over the previously unbeaten Quins.

Although the Braves remain third in the standings on 15 points, they are now just four adrift of leaders Harlequins with a game in hand, whilst defending champions Saracens Storm remain unbeaten in second on 18 points having also played four games.

For Pellow, this latest win was particularly pleasing as he knew the importance of a positive outcome in helping his side maintain their quest for a place in the semi-finals.

“It was a massive performance from the guys,” said the Cornishman. “From the outset they fronted up and played really well. We talked after the game that there are moments in a game that show what you are about as a side and also what can win or lose you a game.

“For me, the defence we showed under our posts for a five minute spell in the second half underlined what we are all about. Our efforts during that spell were outstanding and show what we are about, not just as A League side, but as a club as well.

“As I said, I’m very pleased for the guys because they have worked very hard over this block of games and this result has kept us in the hunt for qualification into the semi-finals.”

Harlequins countered with a first half penalty from Ben Botica, but were unable to find a way through the miserly Braves defence, which was marshalled superbly by experienced skipper Kai Horstmann.

“Every game we have played in this competition we’ve got better and better,” added Pellow. “The effort and enthusiasm of the guys to keep going and to keep getting up off the line shows what we are all about.

“At the same time, we’ve had senior guys really stepping up to the mark and making big impressions, whilst some of the academy guys are really thriving in this environment. Joe Simmonds had another good game, as did Jack Maunder, and it was great to see at the end Dan Swain come onto the pitch.

“On Saturday he was playing for the Under-18s against Wasps and now he’s stepping up to play for the Braves in the A League. For someone whose just 17, he came in and showed what he could do. I know he was very excited about playing, but he ran around, made his tackle and showed up well.”

Next up for the Braves is a trip to London Irish on March 28, before they play host to Wasps on April 11.