Ewers has big plans for future
By Mark Stevens
3/3/18
Dave Ewers says he is looking forward to “making more memories” after this week agreeing a new two-year deal with reigning Aviva Premiership champions, Exeter Chiefs.
The 27-year-old forward, together with club-mate Max Bodilly, became the latest members of Rob Baxter’s first team squad to commit their futures to the Devon club.
A product of the club’s highly successful academy set-up, coming through the ranks at Ivybridge Community College, Ewers has established himself as a key figure within the Chiefs squad since making his debut away to Newport in a B&I Cup clash back in 2009.
Since then, the Harare-born powerhouse has gone on to make 120 appearances for the Chiefs, scoring 14 tries in the process. And had it not been for some untimely injuries - particularly in the last two years - Ewers could easily have added a plethora of more outings to his name.
Now fighting fit once more, the back-rower - who tops the scales at 125kg - is looking to kick on and help the Chiefs to even bigger and better things in the future.
“I’ve been lucky to be part of a great journey and fortunate enough to be here for a lot of the good times we’ve had,” said Ewers. “I was at school initially when we got promoted into the Premiership, then through the years I’ve managed to be around as we’ve climbed up the table.
“I’ve not had the best of luck with injuries over the last couple of years, but I am getting there again now. I am just looking to enjoy myself and, hopefully, the performances will come. I think all of us are looking towards a big end to the season.
“Being at the Chiefs, it’s a great place to be. I feel very honoured and privileged to play with these boys. You see all the internationals we now have, it’s a place where other players want to be, so you can’t take your time here for granted. It is a special place to be for all of us.
“Nothing has really changed over the years, apart from certain faces coming and going, but it’s important we keep that enjoyment of being an Exeter Chiefs player and working hard for one another.”
Knowing that his future for the next two years at least is with the Chiefs, Ewers says he is looking to kick on and make up for lost time, particularly having missed out on helping the club lift their maiden English title last May.
“It’s always nice to have that security of knowing you are going to be around a great group of boys and a great club for the next two years,” added Ewers. “Personally, I definitely want to be involved in trying to win the Premiership again.
“I had just had my operation when we did it last season, so it was tough watching that.I was desperate to be out there on the field, especially as I had played the previous year when we lost to Saracens in the final.
“It was, however, Ian incredible day for the club, and seeing the boys coming home after such an intense game against Wasps, it was class. It will live in our memories for a long time, but hopefully over these next few years we can get back there and do the same again, as well as hopefully push on in Europe as well.”
Such has been the form of the Chiefs this season - they currently top the pile after 17 rounds of battle - it can’t be ruled out that Baxter’s men will be heading back to Twickenham come the end of the season.