Shoey seeks winning formula

 

By Mark Stevens

Jason Shoemark wants to use the hurt of recent results to help fire the Exeter Chiefs back to winning in the Aviva Premiership.

Having failed to win in their last five top flight fixtures, including last Saturday's 31-11 loss at Saracens, the Chiefs have slipped to eighth in the standings and now life eight points adrift of sixth-placed Northampton Saints and a further five behind London Wasps, who occupy the last play-off berth.

However, it's a statistic the 32-year-old New Zealander and his Exeter team-mates are keen to address against the visiting Exiles this Saturday at Sandy Park (3pm).

"We're pretty keen to get our campaign on track and get a bit of momentum until the end of the season," said the Chiefs centre. "It starts here and both teams will be looking for a win so it should be a good game.

"Our philosophy has always been one game at a time but after you lose a few games on the trot it hurts a little bit and training gets a bit more intense. The coaches are good, they don't get too stressed about it. Even when we win we stay on an even plain. However, things need to pick up a little bit, but hopefully we can turn the corner soon."

Up against the Premiership newest additions for the first time in three years, Shoemark knows Welsh - who themselves desperate for points in their survival bid - will be a formidable threat on Devon turf, especially after they defeated Rob Baxter's side 16-15 in the corresponding fixture back in September.

"It's not about revenge, it's about going out there and making sure we play to the best of our ability," said the former Highlanders ace. "If we do that it will put us on the right track and hopefully the results will follow."

Saturday's clash marks the return of Premiership action to Sandy Park for the first time in seven weeks after Northampton became the first side this season to leave Exeter's fortress-like home with a league victory.

Shoemark hopes a bumper turnout from the Chiefs faithful will add to what promises to be another top occasion. He continued: "Our fans have been awesome all year and hopefully they can pick us up again and get us back on track. We love playing here at Sandy Park, so it's as good as any time to start winning games again."

Tickets for Saturday's game are available still online by clicking here or through the Trading Post, which is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.