Match Reaction - Susie Appleby
By Harry Scott-Munro
5/12/21
Exeter Chiefs Women’s Head Coach Susie Appleby admitted that she was “really pleased” as her side secured a 29-12 victory away to Worcester Warriors in the Allianz Premier 15s at Sixways.
First Chiefs tries for Chloe Rollie and Nancy McGillivray, as well as further scores from DaLeaka Menin and Linde Van der Velden secured the result against the Midlanders, with Patricia Garcia adding three conversions and a penalty.
Speaking at full-time, Appleby said: “This is a really tough place to come and Worcester are a very good outfit. It’s not a difficult game and actually, I was really impressed with our collisions. They were so dominant, and they allowed us to play rugby and allowed our 9’s to play with the ball.
“We know Worcester always scramble well and it could have been a few more but our girls really stood up today. Our half back combinations are starting to really get to grips with how we play and understand where in the areas of the field.”
The Head Coach was also at pains to single out a number of players for praise within the overall team performance.
“Kate Zackary was imperious at 13. Lydia Thompson was saying to me after the match that with Kate in that 13 channel, you can’t sit off and you can’t go at her, simply because she is a complete rugby player. We are so lucky to have her ability to go out there and do what she does.
“I also thought Linde [van der Velden] really shone today. This game and last week, she’s been back to her really dominant carrying self and we need that from her to get us where we want to go.”
Appleby also took the time to highlight a number of firsts with Rollie and McGillivray scoring their first tries for the club and Nichola Fryday making her debut off the bench.
“It’s brilliant to see Nancy and Chloe getting on the scoresheet. As well, Nichola Fryday got a first little run-out as well, so there’s some really great stuff.”
The ferocity of the Chiefs carrying game consistently allowed them to set themselves up in the Worcester half, with Appleby explaining that that physicality is so crucial in order to be competitive in the league.
“You have to bulldoze defenders in this league and be dominant in those collisions to put defences on the back foot,” she added. “There’s nothing complicated but if you don’t do that, you can’t function. That is what we want to keep building on. We were better again defensively today too, after the work that Steve [Salvin] did in the week and, if we can do that and get into Gloucester-Hartpury, I’m expecting it to be a really good, physical game of rugby.”
With attention turning to that Gloucester-Hartpury match at Sandy Park next weekend, Appleby was steadfast in her assertion that it was “a big week ahead now” for her side.
“No matter the result today, Gloucester-Hartpury are outstanding and that’s a huge game for us bringing them to Sandy Park. The crucial bit is about putting a good performance on the field. For us, we don’t worry about the results, as long as we perform well.”