Fast start benefits Chiefs against Sarries
By James Fowler
16/1/23
Exeter Chiefs Women’s fly-half Liv McGoverne described her side’s comprehensive 37-19 victory over Saracens in the Allianz Premier 15s on Saturday as an ‘unreal performance’.
The Chiefs produced an opening half hour salvo at an emotionally charged Sandy Park, in which they played near faultless rugby, leaving the reigning champions Saracens shell-shocked and unable to respond.
There were five first half tries in total for the Chiefs, with McGoverne herself opening the scoring, before further scores were added by Flo Robinson, Maisy Allen, Kate Zackary and Hope Rogers. Allen crossed for a second in the second period, before Gabby Cantorna finished the job off with a late penalty.
Saracens did eventually rally, and they scored three tries of their own, with replacement hooker Jodie Rettie going over from a well-worked catch-and-drive line-out, before co-captain Lotte Clapp also crossed twice for the visitors, both of which came from clever kicks from England fly-half Holly Aitchison.
McGoverne outlined her delight at securing a bonus point victory over the champions, in what was no doubt seen as the Chiefs biggest fixture of the season so far.
“It was an unreal performance from the girls, you know I think we really brought it to Saracens, and a really pleasing result, but we can still keep building from it so it’s very exciting,” said the New Zealander.
Reflecting on the Chiefs fast start which was filled with pace, power and precision, McGoverne highlighted how motivated she and her team-mates were for this game.
“I think we came out absolutely firing, and we couldn’t have asked for a better start,” she added. “I think we were really up for it, and it showed with getting the bonus point in the first half and I don’t think the coaches could have asked for too much more from us.”
The foundations for the victory were yet again built by another impressive performance from the pack, with the back-row in particular providing thunderous carries throughout the game to set up front foot ball for McGoverne and her backline to play with.
“It’s all credit to the forwards, they’re putting us on the front foot, and we couldn’t ask for a better platform to play and do the exciting stuff and finish it off, so I couldn’t ask for much more from the forwards.”
Saracens certainly came out a different side in the second half, as they showed far more of what they’re about and why they’re the champions, however McGoverne was keen to highlight how pleased she was with her side’s defence not allowing Saracens back into the game.
“We knew after that first half they weren’t going to lie down, they were going to bring it to us, so we had to put our foot on the throat, and we knew they were going to come out firing, so I think our D (defence) won us that game in the second half and we certainly didn’t lie down which was pleasing.”
McGoverne, who has made the No.10 jersey her own since arriving at the Chiefs last summer, seems to have forged an excellent relationship with American internationals Cantorna and Zackary, who were playing outside her in the centre.
“They’re unreal, I’m pretty luck to play with some big international names and people with so much experience, it makes my job a lot easier. I’m very lucky to be playing with them.”
One of the most memorable aspects of Saturday’s victory over Saracens was the passion and noise created by the Sandy Park crowd of just over 2,000, who cheered the Chiefs vociferously throughout the game, and McGoverne who’s originally from Christchurch, spoke about how much she enjoys playing in front of a home Sandy Park crowd since arriving in Exeter.
“They’re 100 per cent the best crowd in the league. Their support makes us just keep going harder and harder, and they just keep coming and supporting us and we absolutely love it.”