McGillivray praises Chiefs fighting spirit

By James Fowler
25/10/22

Nancy McGillivray praised the fighting spirit which exists within the Exeter Chiefs Women’s team after they came from behind to defeat rivals Harlequins Women in the Allianz Cup.

Having taken an early lead through Maisy Allen’s converted try, the Chiefs were pegged back by a resolute Quins’ outfit, who replied with a Freya Aucken try and two penalties from Ellie Green.

However, as the game headed into its final quarter, it was Susie Appleby’s side who came good, recording their third victory in the competition with a brace of tries from replacement hooker Clara Nielson.

Post-game, a relieved McGillivray said: “It was a really close game and we’re just really glad that we came away with the victory. Towards the end we just tried to hold onto the ball as much as we could.”

Reflecting on the wet conditions the game was played in, the gifted centre spoke about how the squad had prepared for playing in such conditions.

“I think we knew it was going to be wet and the conditions were going to be hard, but we’ve trained for that, and we’ve set our plays for conditions like this. But Harlequins did put the pressure on. I think in the second half we just went back to how we normally play.”

McGillivray was full of praise for the Chiefs forward pack, who have not only become a hugely potent attacking threat themselves this season, but who have consistently provided front foot ball for McGillivray and her fellow backs.

“They do all the hard yards and then we get to play with the ball, so yeah it’s good.”

The young back also highlighted how the Chiefs squad have bonded during the early parts of the season.

“Pre-season was really hard so I feel like that that was the main part where we all bonded and came together.

“We’ve got girls that are 18, some that are still 17, but we have older players like Poppy (Poppy Leitch), Cli (Cliodhna Moloney) Clara (Clara Nielson) who enable us all to come together and it’s a really environment for all us, and we all get along really well even though we have loads of different ages.”

When reflecting on the Allianz Cup pool games, McGillivray stated that she believes the last two games, which have seen victories over Gloucester-Hartpury and Harlequins, have created a ‘great platform’ for this Chiefs side to hit the ground running when the Allianz Premier 15s league commences next month.

“We had a hard start against Worcester, but then we came back and we went back to our basics and came together, and I think the last two games have been a great platform for us for the Prem (Allianz Premier 15s), and when we get all the internationals back I think we will only go up from here, and yeah it’s exciting.”