Mixed feelings for Preece after league debut

By James Fowler
21/11/22

Exeter Chiefs youngster Danielle Preece admitted to having ‘mixed feelings’ after marking her Allianz Premier 15s debut with defeat against Gloucester-Hartpury at Sandy Park.

Handed her first opportunity at league level, Preece and her Chiefs team-mates suffered disappointment in their seasonal opener, going down 25-17 to the Cherry & Whites.

A powerful first half display set the tone for Gloucester’s success on the day. However, the Chiefs showed their fighting spirit throughout and were rewarded with late tries for Katie Buchanan and Cliodhna Moloney.

“The last 10 minutes were who we are really,” said the 18-year-old. “ We should have started like that, which is unfortunate.”

Preece bemoaned the lack of clinical edge her side showed throughout much of the game, with many chances going begging due to errors, an issue which did not seem to affect their opponents.

“We just lost momentum,” she added. “We would get to five meters out and then lose possession and make silly errors. Credit to them, they are very good, but they won the game from our errors quite a lot of the time.”

Having been handed her chance initially in the Allianz Cup this season by head coach Susie Appleby, spoke about how beneficial it is to have the experience of the World Cup players return, and she said that she especially found having USA international Gabby Cantorna playing alongside her at the end of the game ‘really helpful’.

“Sophie and I in the centres we’re only 18, and then you got the likes of Jodie (Ounsley) who’s started on the wing, obviously she’s a great player, but it’s just our first run out as a group together properly.

“It’s been really nice to have the World Cup players return, just because they’ve brought more experience. With Gabby outside of me, it was really helpful because as a young player she was directing me on things I needed to do which was really good.”

Although hurting from the loss, Preece and the Chiefs have the chance to put things right this weekend when they make the long trek to Darlington Mowden Park.

“I think we’ll review what we did and hopefully correct our errors as that’s what cost us the game unfortunately.”

Although not able to get the victory in front of the home support, Preece said that she found playing her first game for the Chiefs at Sandy Park an ‘incredible’ experience.

“It’s incredible, just running up on the restarts and hearing everyone chanting, it’s just so good.”