Salvin pleased with Cup victory
By Harry Scott-Munro
26/3/22
Exeter Chiefs Women’s assistant coach Steve Salvin admitted that he would have “taken that at the start of the day” as his side ran out 47-15 victors over Loughborough Lightning at Sandy Park in the Allianz Cup.
A tight first half saw the Chiefs edge ahead 12-10 thanks to tries from Hope Rogers and McKinley Hunt. However, n the second half Exeter pulled clear, as Hunt scored her second, with Emily Tuttosi, Kate Zackary and Ebony Jefferies with a brace sealing the victory.
Salvin admitted that his side were not at their peak in the first half, but was pleased with the second half display.
“It was comprehensive in the end. At half-time, it looked like it might be as tight as the league games, but we were much better in the second half. It’s fair to say that we looked rusty at times and we weren’t massively cohesive, but to put that scoreline there is pleasing. There are things to work on though.”
Reflecting on the improved second half performance, Salvin was relieved to see his side add a far more clinical edge to their game.
“We got a bit more dominance upfront in that second forty and were a lot more clinical in our attack. The scoreline reflected that in the end.”
Salvin also praised the returning Gabby Cantorna and Brooke Bradley, who picked up where they left off after long term injuries.
“Gabby was brilliant. Brooke did well coming back from a relatively long lay-off and the international girls as well.”
Next weekend’s clash against Saracens will give the Chiefs a chance to secure top spot in the group and with it, a home semi-final. Salvin though, wants his side to simply focus on one game at a time.
“It’s like every game. It’s always significant. Saracens are top of the league table and doing well in the cup, but it’s another exciting challenge and one we need to be ready for. We know they will be strong, it’s at their ground but it’s an opportunity and an exciting one.”
The cup competition gives an opportunity for valuable minutes for the wider squad whilst the Six Nations is on, with Salvin hoping his side can now look to build some continuity as they move forward into the business end of the season.
“We can now get a bit of continuity. There’s a bit of time away if you don’t qualify for these knockouts so that’s an important one for us. It’s really important that we take care of it next week. We need to look at it as an isolated game and prepare properly. We looked a bit rusty today and get those cobwebs back.”