Match Reaction - Susie Appleby
By Mark Stevens
27/5/23
Susie Appleby praised her Exeter Chiefs side as they returned to winning ways in the Allianz Premier 15s with a 82-7 thumping of Wasps at Sandy Park.
American international Kate Zackary led the way for the hosts, scoring three of their 12 tries in total. Her first half treble was one of the many highlights for the Chiefs, who are now within touching distance of securing home advantage in next month’s play-offs.
Brooke Bradley and Laura Sheehan both bagged two tries apiece, whilst there were further touchdowns for Katie Buchanan, Rachel Johnson, Silvia Turani, Nancy McGillivray and Lori Cramer.
It was a victory, however, that was much needed for the Chiefs and Appleby, who in the past fortnight had seen her side surrender top spot in the table following defeats to Saracens and Bristol Bears.
“It was an improvement in many aspects,” said Appleby. “The message from the start was just to be accurate with everything we do and not to get loose. I thought we scored some really nice tries, but we weren’t perfect. That said, it’s good to get back to Sandy Park with all these people and put on a really good show.”
A dominant first half show saw the hosts lead 42-0 at the turn and they continued their scoring spree after the break as Wasps wilted in the glorious Devon sunshine.
“Winning is a habit,” added Appleby. “You feel bad when you lose and great when you win, so to take this into next week at Gloucester is really important, especially as we push ourselves towards that semi-final.”
Wasps gave a decent enough account of themselves on the day, but they were no match for the power, pace and precision of the Chiefs, who know the coming weeks will present them with much tougher hurdles to overcome.
“We’ve learnt lessons from today,” said Appleby. “Working out different spaces and which are the best ones to attack and the best ones to execute, it all helps us in the long run. We know it will much different against Gloucester and probably Saracens after that. For us as coaches it’s easy to say ‘do this, do that’ – but it’s harder for the players to do.”
As well as the many tries on show, Appleby will have been heartened by the fact that she was able to get some crucial game minutes into a number of her fringe first team stars.
“That was a real positive out of today,” she continued. “Getting minutes into the likes of Brooke, Charli, Mairi, Robyn, you’re not going to win a cup if you don’t get your squad right. It was good stuff and so was seeing Kate Zackary on the wing!”
Next up for the Chiefs is next weekend’s trip to leaders Gloucester, who have already secured home advantage in the last four. They defeated the Chiefs on home soil on the opening day of the campaign, so the visitors will be looking to avenge that loss, whilst at the same time banking their own home play-off spot.
“We’re expecting huge physicality from them,” warned Appleby. “They’ve recruited well with lots of international players. They are a top side, who play smart rugby. Mo Hunt is in the form of her life and they have threats all over, so we have to expect everything.
“At the same time, we have to make sure we are ready to attack them, that’s what this next week is going to be all about.”