Match Reaction - Ali Hepher
By Mark Stevens
11/9/22
Exeter Chiefs head coach Ali Hepher was full of praise for his side after they kicked off their new Gallagher Premiership campaign with a 24-20 victory over defending champions Leicester Tigers at Sandy Park.
The Chiefs dominated the opening half to lead 17-6, thanks to a penalty try and another from debutant Solomona Kata, but it was the visitors who hit back after the break, taking the lead through converted scores from skipper Hanro Liebenberg and hooker Charlie Clare.
Although held up three times during the final quarter, it was with virtually the last play of the game that the Chiefs were able to get their just reward, prop Patrick Schickerling rumbling over from close range to seal a memorable start to the season for the Devonians.
At the final whistle, a happy Hepher talked up his side’s performance, saying: “It’s a great start for us and one we probably deserved on the balance of play. In the second half we got over the line enough, but we need to be a bit more clinical. Today, we were up against a resolute side, a champion side, who kept us at bay and did everything they could to survive.
“That said, we kept grafting, we kept working and got the result. Last season we may not have done that, but there is a different feel about the group this year. We’ve slammed some hard days into them during pre-season, but they’ve not worried about that, they’ve just got on with the work and you could see the results out there today.
“I have to give huge credit to Mark Twiggs [Head of Strength & Conditioning], he’s put together a great programme for the guys, one with lots of variety, because we’ve asked them to work hard and they’ve done that.”
Certainly, a strong final quarter was evident from the Chiefs, as was their work in the first half, but it was the period just after half time which Hepher will be keen to address ahead of next weekend’s trip to Worcester Warriors.
“We were in control at half time, but then a couple of sloppy exits handed them the field position they want and they were able to capitalise,” he added. “If we’re honest, we gave them too many opportunities in that period, but great credit to our guys, they fought back well and it was us that was forcing them into errors late on.”
Next up for the Chiefs is the trek to Sixways to face a Worcester side, who were undone 45-14 on the opening day by London Irish.
As Hepher is aware, however, the Warriors inflicted defeat on his side at the same venue last season and he will be instilling into his players the importance of backing up their victory over the Tigers.
“We’ll need to come with the same fight and attitude again next week,” he warned. “100% it’s a tough game for us. It’s always a tough place to go and play at - and they’ll be fighting for everything. We know we’ll need to turn up with the same attitude we showed today if we are going to get anything from the game.”