Braves side to face Bristol Bears

By Mark Stevens
30/9/18

Exeter Braves will be looking to maintain their winning start to the new Premiership Shield campaign when they play host to Bristol Bears A at Sandy Park today (2:30pm).

Ricky Pellow’s side have already bagged bonus point victories over Saracens Storm and Bath United this term - and they were hoping to add to that tally last Monday against Gloucester, only for the visitors to withdraw from the match due to raising a front-row.

Today, though, it’s another powerful Braves side that will take to the field and Pellow is looking for ‘more of the same’ from his team against their nearest and dearest.

“We’ve had a strong start to the season at all levels and this is another great opportunity for all the guys to not only put in a big performance at home, but also stake their claim for a place within the first team.

“We’re in the middle of a huge block of fixtures for the club and you’ve seen how we’ve been rotating players in and out of the team to keep everyone fresh and competitive. Whatever team, whatever competition it is, we want everyone to be right on their game and producing big performances.”

“We talk a lot about going after every game we play in and this one will be no different. We’ve put in two very strong performance to beat Saracens and Bath and we will need to do it again if we are to beat Bristol.”

Back-row forward James Freeman again leads the Braves into action and he will be joined in the pack by international stars Moray Low, Greg Holmes and Onehunga Kaufusi, the latter of whom will be making his first Sandy Park start.

Behind the pack, youngsters Sam Morley and Sam Maunder will head up the attack at half-back, while Italian international Michele Campagnaro will be looking to impress once again in the centre alongside Tom Hendrickson.

The back three is made up of James Short, Tom O’Flaherty and Max Bodilly, all of whom will be hoping to catch the eye of the watching Chiefs coaches.

Season Ticket Holders, 1905 Club and Gold Card Members can gain free entry to the game as part of their seasonal package. Admission for all others is £10 for adults, £5 for Under-16s and Students.

Car parking is available at Sandy Park on a first come, first served basis. Parking fees will be own operation, however.

BRAVES SIDE TO FACE BRISTOL BEARS

15 Max Bodilly
14 Tom O’Flaherty
|13 Michele Campagnaro
12 Tom Hendrickson
11 James Short
10 Sam Morley
9 Sam Maunder
1 Moray Low
2 Jack Innard
3 Greg Holmes
4 Richard Capstick
5 Wilhelm Van Der Sluys
6 Onehunga Kaufusi
7 James Freeman (capt)
8 Tom Lawday

16 Paul Davis
17 Danny Southworth
18 Alfie Petch
19 Jake Clemson
20 Max Norey
21 Joe Snow
22 Harvey Skinner
23 Joe Elderkin