EXESTATIC!
They were in division four 25 years ago, now they are in the Champions Cup final. No wonder the Chiefs are…
IT was when Joe simmonds parted the red- shirted sea with 10 minutes left to score the fourth try that Exeter Chiefs knew — at last — they were marching towards the promised land.
as the 23-year-old Teignmouthborn No 10 was engulfed by his brother sam, 25, it was a fitting celebration of the local lads made good.
Looking on from the stands, Tavistock’s Rob Baxter allowed himself to smile. The bloke who as a player had battled in games against Redruth, Havant, wharfedale and Orrell was now leading his team to the European Cup final after defeating French giants Toulouse.
with his feet, as ever, cemented to the ground, Baxter said: ‘It is incredible. But I’m not going to say it’s a dream come true, because it’s not.
‘It’s not been a dream, it’s been a reality and a lot of hard work from a lot of people, but it does feel like a fantastic achievement.
‘I captained the team in Courage League Division 4. I might have scored a try against Redruth! we dropped down to the fourth division in the 1990s, came up to the Championship, then spent ages trying to get out of there. How many times did the relegated Premiership side get back up?
‘what did we do? we slowly built this place and decided to never go away. Those decisions to keep going for it are why we are here now. I’m not even going to pretend that 25 years ago we thought we were on the same rugby planet as Toulouse. I used to love watching the Heineken Cup.
‘I remember one year in the Championship, Phil John the Pontypridd hooker walked in our changing rooms and I thought, “I’ve just watched you in the Heineken Cup, what are you doing here!” so to be part of it now is absolutely amazing.’
It has been a while since their more humble days, and now with Lions Jack Nowell and stuart Hogg, and established internationals including Henry slade, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jonny Gray, Tomas Francis and Harry williams, Exeter are hardly full of farmers and bin men any more.
saturday’s win against the four-time champions and the most regal club in Europe was seminal. It was based on grit, gnarly forwards and an extraordinarily successful pick-and-go game.
simmonds Jnr, who scored 13 of the points, was wide- eyed afterwards. ‘It hasn’t really sunk in,’ said Joe. ‘we’ve never been in this position before and it’s a massive opportunity for not just the players but the club and Exeter as a city as well. we’ll be raring to go.
‘It’s nice having sam in the team. we never really talk about it but when we finish playing and look back, it’s going to be a proud moment for both of us.’
Tight-head williams scored twice from close range, either side of No 8 sam simmonds’ try, and that put the Chiefs in command.
Toulouse full back Thomas Ramos missed five crucial points from the tee either side of halftime and they failed to kick on after their massive pack had caused Exeter issues and alban Placines scored out wide.
so by the time captain Joe simmonds danced in, the Chiefs knew they were one win from a first continental crown.
‘The gap just opened up,’ said the No 10 of his try. ‘Luckily I had the legs to run it in. I was pretty tired at the time! I watched that 2010 Championship play- off win against Bristol here and looked up to guys like Gareth steenson. To be here now is crazy.
‘we’re so passionate to win trophies. we’ve had a few hurts in the last couple of years, losing finals, but we showed with that performance that everyone’s hungry.’
On October 17 they will travel 90 miles up the road to ashton Gate for another shot at French aristocrats. and you know by now there will be no stars in their eyes when they take on Racing 92.
Baxter concluded: ‘The biggest thing for me now is not to turn up and take part in the game, but to go out and win it.’