Exeter reach first final with Detiveaux try at the death
Premier 15s play-off semi-finals
As West Country derbies go, this was a blockbuster. After edging them in the final round of the regular season last week, Exeter Chiefs survived a second-half comeback from Bristol to reach their first Premier 15s final in the most dramatic fashion.
It was Jennine Detiveaux’s 78th-minute try that sent the home fans into ecstasy as Exeter set up a showdown with Saracens at Sixways, Worcester, on June 3.
The American winger collected Flo Robinson’s pass off the back of a driving maul before wrestling with Courtney Keight to triumphantly dot down and break Bristol hearts.
“I’m exhausted, so God knows how the players feel,” an elated Susie Appleby, the Exeter coach, said. “What a game of rugby. Momentum swings, big hits, good tactical decisions – it had it all, really. It was a really good advert for the women’s game.”
Appleby paid tribute to Tony Rowe, the club’s chairman, for pouring money and resources into his start-up women’s side, who joined the women’s top flight two seasons ago. What did he make of his side’s last-gasp victory?
“I won’t use the expletive, but the second word was ‘brilliant,’” Appleby said. “Tony’s really pleased. He’s invested an unbelievable amount of energy and resources into what we’re doing. That’s what enabled us to become successful.”
Detiveaux’s score was the only period of attacking rugby Exeter enjoyed during a physical contest in which they relinquished a 21-0 lead.
The home side were breezing the final after a brace of tries from Hope Rogers and another from Linde van der Velden, but took their foot off the gas.
It took Bristol 20 minutes to make their first foray into Exeter’s 22, when Hannah West’s try re-energized Dave Ward’s outfit. Scrum-half Keira Bevan sniped moments later to give her side a lifeline before the break.
The visitors looked almost certain to celebrate their status as comeback queens when Phoebe Murray crossed but Exeter dug deep to make a final push.
The Chiefs have enjoyed quite the fairy-tale rise in the women’s top flight with their internationally diverse side, which has drawn criticism for its apparent reluctance to develop English talent.
Yet the part Robinson played in her side’s decisive try, would appear to undermine such an argument. With two minutes left, Exeter’s weary maul looked more like a crab scuttling sideways and the 20-yeartowards old read it brilliantly, feeding Detiveaux at the crucial moment.