Match Reaction - Susie Appleby
By James Fowler
11/12/22
Exeter Chiefs Women's Head Coach Susie Appleby was full of praise for her side as they swept aside Loughborough Lightning to move to the top of the Allianz Premier 15s.
After two thumping victories over the DMP Sharks and Worcester Warriors, Appleby’s Chiefs were yet again in formidable form, defeating their hosts 54-5.
Eight tries in total were scored with Katie Buchanan, Kate Zackary, Claudia MacDonald and Nichola Fryday all crossing in the first half, before second half efforts from Hope Rogers, Maisy Allen, Eilidh Sinclair and a second Zackary put the seal on yet another stylish performance from the Devonians, who remain unbeaten away from home this season.
Ahead of kick-off, the Chiefs had to deal with some disruption with the game, which was scheduled to be played at the home of Northampton Saints, Franklin’s Garden’s, being moved to Loughborough University with just 24 hours’ notice, due to a frozen pitch. Appleby spoke however about how pleased she was that her side adapted to the circumstances they found themselves in.
“Really proud of the girls, it was a difficult lead up, bearing in mind we were meant to play at Saints (Franklin’s Gardens) and then we got moved, and then we had to move hotels, so it wasn’t the perfect prep, but I’m proud of the girls because they adapted really well, they just kept their eyes on the job. It was a decent performance, it got a bit scrappy, but there was some outstanding play within that.”
Appleby spoke proudly of the camaraderie within the squad, with new players seemingly able to fit in very easily, including Red Roses star MacDonald who managed to score a try on her debut for the club.
“They’re an amazing group, they’re very together and those newcomers coming in are being really looked after, and honestly they just love playing, they love being together.”
Appleby believes the strong recent showings from her side are down to the ‘time together’ that her squad have now had, with the continuity really starting to show, particularly in the side’s potent attack.
“It’s time together and getting fluidity into our attacking shape, because it’s always been there and we’ve shown it in parts, but I think some things are really clicking for us,” she said. “That said, you can see the difference when we make some changes, because they haven’t had as much time in our system. As I said, it’s just reps and fluidity and confidence on the ball, recognising different pictures and then being able to execute the skills, and especially at times in that first half we really got it spot on.”
Despite the many international stars available to her, Appleby was keen to emphasise how much she values the young talent coming through the ranks, who are making such a large impact so far this season.
“The most pleasing thing is players like Maisy Allen who is playing outstandingly well and she’s staying in that shirt, and she will continue to do so. Flo Robinson, another young player, Merryn Doidge at the back, Katie Buchanan on the wing, all these players that you could go, hang on a second there’s an international coming back in, but the important thing for our future is that they stay in those shirts, and they rack up time on the ball, and that’s what’s going to move us forward. Now that’s no disrespect to those players that are coming in, but they have to work their way into the team, and to have that competition is exactly where we want to be.”
Appleby spoke about how proud she was to see three of her players, Doidge, Ebony Jefferies and skipper Poppy Leitch, who have all been with the side since its inception, make their 50th appearance for the club.
“They’re just unreal, Poppy (Leitch) has led from the front from the second she stepped through the door. Merryn (Doidge) has just been outstanding, she’s developed, she’s been off to the Commonwealth Games, she’s just smashing it, and Ebony (Jefferies) just does what Ebony does, and she does it really comprehensively. I just cannot praise them enough. There’s more (50th appearances) coming along in the next few weeks, but for those three as young local players, I’m just so pleased for them.”