Match Reaction - Ali Hepher
By Mark Stevens
7/10/22
Ali Hepher said his Exeter Chiefs players delivered a ‘special performance’ after they claimed Westcountry bragging rights with a 50-14 victory over Bristol Bears in the Gallagher Premiership.
The Chiefs were in scintillating form at Ashton Gate, running in seven tries in a polished performance that brought about tries for Jack Nowell (2), Olly Woodburn (2), Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ruben Van Heerden and Richard Capstick.
Looking to bounce back from their defeat at Sale Sharks the previous week, the Devonians dominated for long periods against the Bears, who countered with converted tries for Toby Fricker and Will Capon.
The victory lifted the Chiefs back to the summit of the table and Hepher was quick to praise the efforts of his squad in his post-match assessment.
“Every away win is one that you remember,” he said. “Before the game, I asked the guys to produce a special performance and they did just that!
“Mentally, we were in the right place, even in the early stages when Bristol came at us, but we kept going throughout. There have been times this season where we have built leads and then let sides back into the game. There was none of that today and it was an outstanding shift from everyone.”
In front of a crowd of over 19,000, the Bears - who themselves had lost the previous week at Newcastle Falcons - came out firing and took an early lead through the Fricker score. However, the Chiefs made the most of a yellow card for Ellis Genge and hit back with scores of their own from Nowell and Woodburn.
“We knew they would come out hard after last week,” added Hepher. “We gave them a couple of penalties early on that gave them field position and even though we went behind, the signs from us were encouraging because we were competitive, we we’re fighting and we were aggressive.”
Woodburn - who has been outstanding so far this season, even earning himself a nomination for the Premiership’s Player of the Month for September - helped lead the way for the visitors and Hepher was quick to pay tribute to the gifted winger.
“Olly’s been working incredibly hard and he’s got himself in the best condition I’ve ever seen him,” said Hepher. “That’s all paying off him and the it’s a lesson to others that if you work hard, you’ll get your rewards.”
Equally, Scottish international Jonny Gray has been just as good and his return to the starting line-up was awarded with the BT Sport Man of the Match accolade.
“Jonny was fantastic again,” continued Hepher. “We probably missed him a bit last week [up at Sale] because he just has that ability to pop up in the right place. He reads the game so well and he always has a high number of actions around the ball. Tonight was perfect for him in that respect.”
Now the Chiefs will ready themselves for the visit of Wasps next Saturday and Hepher is keen that continue their growth.
“The important thing is that we are learning,” he said. “Against Harlequins we got ourselves well up, but then we switched off and got sloppy, which they exploited very well. Tonight you saw how we are learning, especially the younger players, because we didn’t slip back in any way. You could see we have learnt lessons from that game and others this season and that’s what needs to happen.”