Match Reaction - Susie Appleby

By Mark Stevens
24/6/23

Exeter Chiefs Women's head coach Susie Appleby says her team needs to "move forward quickly" in the wake of Saturday's Allianz Premier 15s final defeat at the hands of Gloucester-Hartpury.

For a second successive season, the Chiefs were pipped at the post in the end of season showpiece, going down 34-19 to the Cherry & Whites at Gloucester's temporarily rebranded Queensholm Stadium.

Having beaten reigning champions Saracens in the semi-finals, the Chiefs made the short trek up the M5 aiming to be the first side to do a league and cup double, having retained the Allianz Cup earlier this year.

Sadly, Gloucester-Hartpury - who topped the standings following the culmination of the regular season - had other ideas, producing a powerful display in front of a near 10,000 crowds.

"Sadly, I thought the better team came out on top," said Appleby. "We were outmuscled and outplayed in pretty much every department. We played against a good side and they played the game really well, so congratulations to Gloucester-Hartpury.

"We didn't put enough pressure on at crucial times and made crucial errors. Right now, today really hurts, but the future is bright. I know we're better than what we showed today, but finals are pressure situations and we didn't convert any opportunities today.

"This is twice this has happened to us and it really hurts," Appleby added. "But you have to learn and you have to move forward. We've had a good season, I've just told the players not to forget that. We're back-to-back cup champions, we got it wrong today, but we'll get another opportunity and it's what you do next."

In front of what was a record crowd for the league final, Appleby insisted the women's game continues to flourish and that occasions such as this should act as the foundation for further growth in the coming years.

"It was unreal, wasn't it?

"Over 9,000 coming here for a final, it's just amazing. A year ago we wouldn't have been talking like this, but building on the World Cup and then the success of England and the Six Nations, the game is in an amazing place. These girls are role models for so many people and they are bringing people into the game. Youngsters want to play and that's what it is all about.

"Right now, I'm disappointed with the result, but tomorrow I'll wake up - and so will the team - and we'll be excited to go again."