A day to remember for Woodburn

 

By Mark Stevens
30/4/17

Two tries, a handsome team victory, then the accolade of picking up your club’s Supporters’ Player of the Year award - all in all, it wasn’t a bad day at the office for Exeter Chiefs winger Olly Woodburn.

The 25-year-old was again in stunning form for Rob Baxter’s side as they maintained their push for a home semi-final in this season’s Aviva Premiership with a 36-12 victory over Northampton Saints at Sandy Park.

The in-form winger scored a try in each half to go alongside further touchdowns from team-mates Don Armand, Ian Whitten, Jack Nowell and Sam Hill to secure a record-breaking seventh successive try bonus point for the Chiefs.

With just one game left in the scheduled season remaining for the Devon club - that is at Gloucester next Saturday - Woodburn is excited at what lies ahead for the Chiefs in their quest to return to Twickenham for a second successive season.

Overcoming the Cherry & Whites at Kingsholm, however, will be no walk in the park and the Exeter speedster is expecting another stiff examination.

“Gloucester have got some awesome players,” he said. “They are in the final of the European Challenge Cup and they are a big team. They will throw it all at us again, and they are a really good attacking unit, so there is a lot to play for.”

The Chiefs, though, are the division’s form team, having not lost in the top flight since late October when Woodburn’s former club Bath snatched a last-gasp win at Sandy Park.

A superb 14-game unbeaten streak has followed and has put Baxter’s men on the cusp of home advantage in the upcoming play-offs.

Woodburn has helped to lead from the front during that time and his double on Saturday took his try tally to 11 for the season.

It’s little wonder that Woodburn’s efforts were recognised by the club’s support base, who crowned him Player of the Year following the final whistle against the Saints.

“I didn’t see myself getting an award like that when I came to the club,” said Woodburn. “I just wanted to expand my rugby and go somewhere where I could compete for a position in the team. To get an award like that at the end of my second season is just an incredible achievement.

“I couldn’t have done done it without the support of the guys. Every week we are putting in such huge performances, and such a big work rate, and it feels like it is getting harder every game, but I think that is what we want.

“It has been a brilliant season for me, but again I couldn’t do it without my team-mates. Life is really good for me. I had a huge smile on my face after the game, and a lot during the game, even though I was absolutely hanging at the end!

“I am playing with a smile on my face, and it’s such a good place to play at the moment.”