Hard work paying off, says Moon

By Mark Stevens
24/5/2016

Ben Moon is hoping years of hard work will be rewarded in style this weekend as Exeter Chiefs look to be crowned Aviva Premiership champions for the first time.

The long-serving loosehead has been part and parcel of the Sandy Park make-up for a number of seasons now and he’s set to play his part at Twickenham on Saturday (3pm) as Rob Baxter’s side look to deny European champions Saracens from securing a seasonal double.

As one of the so-called originals who helped the Devon club rise out of the Championship back in 2010, the 26-year-old has since forged himself as an integral figure in the Exeter front-row, helping the Chiefs grow year on year as an emerging force amongst English and European rugby’s elite clubs.

Exeter’s recent rise is nothing short of incredible, but it’s nothing those inside the club did not envisage, such was the drive and desire of all and sundry to succeed.

Having missed out on the top four by a whisker last season, the Chiefs made amends for that this term, securing not only a top four finish but, last weekend, defeating Wasps in the play-off semi-final to secure their forthcoming trip to the capital.

Moon helped lead the celebrations last Saturday as the Chiefs secured a 34-23 over Wasps at a packed out Sandy Park.

“It’s unbelievable to think where we have come from,” he said. “It’s been a big journey to get to this stage, but it’s been amazing.

“Right now the boys can’t wait for the final. We have worked as hard as have ever worked to get to this stage, but now we’re hoping to make it pay and have a really good end to the season.”

Standing in the way of the Chiefs, however, will be a Sarries side who last season lifted their second Premiership title when they defeated Bath at English rugby’s HQ.

This season they have again been the stand-out side, even inflicting a league double on the Chiefs, but Moon insists that will count for little heading into this latest tussle.

“It will be tough alright, but we’ve played them before and we’ve beaten them before, so there is no reason why we can’t do it again,” added Moon.

“Getting through last weekend was a big goal for us, but now we’ve got to the final we’re finished yet, we’ve got to make sure we crack on again.”

However, buoyed by recent wins over Wasps (twice) and Harlequins, the Chiefs will arrive at Twickenham brimming with confidence in their quest for glory.

“Wasps came at us hard at the weekend, a lot harder than a few weeks ago, but we stuck to our guns and we were able to grind out the win in the end,” said Moon.

“The scenes at the end were amazing and there was a lot of emotion going on between the players, the coaches and the supporters. Now, though, we have to refocus again for the weekend and hopefully give the fans something else to really shout about.”