Express & Echo (City & East Devon Edition)
Class of 2024 shone bright in France despite defeat
CHIEFS’ European Champions Cup journey came to a quarter final end in Toulouse on Sunday. The 4-2 shoreline suggests we had something of a drubbing. I see it differently.
Chiefs’ transitional team of Young Guns, supported by a few experienced old heads, went toe to toe with one of the richest, strongest and best resourced rugby clubs on the planet.
Our first half effort tamed the hugely partisan home crowd and knocked the French aristocrats back on their heels. Indeed, Chiefs took the fight into the second half to take a 19-17 lead on 50 minutes.
It warmed my heart to see our young scrum half Tom Cairns go up against the illustrious Antoine Dupont, arguably the world’s best No 9. Similarly, Harvey Skinner and our young back division challenged Emile Ntamack and the famed Toulouse threequarter strike force.
Let us not miss the point that Toulouse are undefeated in 33 home games over the past two years. Yes, their vastly experienced squad of internationals rallied to score seven second-half tries, but the signs are there and clear to see that Exeter Chiefs’ Class of 2024 are developing well en-route to future greatness of our own.
With Chiefs away in France, I took the opportunity to watch some home-grown local club rugby. Representing Devon in The Pappa Johns Community Cup.
South Molton entertained Cornwall’s Perrenporth in a full-blooded hard fought game on a muddy pitch high on a windswept hill in front of a passionate crowd of nearly 100 spectators, several pet dogs, and a blazer and club tie wearing touch judge.
Premiership rugby it was not, these players pay for the privilege of representing their local club, but the commitment, effort and passion of all concerned was on par with that at Toulouse.
This game mattered in the true William Webb Ellis tradition that built rugby into the game we know today.
The lead fluctuated, but a supreme effort from the farmers who make up the majority of South Molton’s team won the day with two late scores to settle a nail bitingly close encounter 23-15 South Molton go again this weekend, away to Bristol-based Old Elizabethans.
Good luck and best wishes to All Blacks for another Devon win on Saturday.
Saturday’s trip to north Devon reminded me of my own journey and roots in community rugby. I was fortunate to work my way through the levels to become a professional player, lucky enough to live the dream in a in a 13-year career.
I found a similar spirit on Sunday when I attended Honiton to support my 12-year-old daughter in a cluster fixture.
Dozens of aspiring young girls supported and monitored by a battalion of volunteer unpaid coaches to train, associate and play against each other in a joyous day of amateur community rugby.
Amid the glitz and glamour of the professional game it is easy to overlook the value and fundamental importance of community rugby, the Papa John’s Cups, and the thousands of unpaid dedicated volunteers that make it all possible.
There is life, spirit, and endeavour throughout the land outside the dizzy hights of the international and elite levels you choose to focus on. ‘From small acorns great oak trees grow.’ Without rugby’s community roots there can be no elite level rugby!
It pleases me to note Chiefs character and culture embodied in our motto Semper fidelis – “always faithful” or “always loyal”.
With these values in mind Exeter Chiefs face and yet another big challenge when local rivals Bath returning to Sandy Park on Saturday for a crucial Premiership clash.
Just four league games remain as we really are into the business end of the season.
Liverpool FC’s legendary Manager Bill Shankly famously, ‘You do well to score a draw in the league match following a European Cup fixture.’ Chiefs travelled back from France for a -day turnaround against Bath who have had 2 full weeks to prepare for Saturdays clash.
It is another big ask for our team to regroup, recharge, and go again in another nig game.
In the true spirit of Semper fidelis, let us gather together in force to raise the roof getting behind our lads on our turf in Fortress Sandy Park as our journey continues. Don’t you just love this club...
Until next time, enjoy your rugby and stay safe.