Chiefs Women to face DMP Sharks
By Harry Scott-Munro
26/2/21
It’s “full steam ahead” as far as Exeter Chiefs head coach Susie Appleby is concerned, as her side move into the last third of their debut Allianz Premier 15s season firmly in the conversation for a play-off place come the end of the season.
Last time out against Worcester Warriors, Appleby’s side secured a battling 17-10 victory to make it five wins on the bounce and secure their first league double of the season. Despite the result, Appleby could still see room for improvement and has challenged her side to up the standards again tomorrow against visiting DMP Durham Sharks (12pm).
“We showed really good fight, we just lacked a bit of accuracy which every week is what we’re trying to get better at,” explained Appleby. It was a bit disappointing not to come away with a bonus point. In the red zone we just didn’t convert opportunities, so that’s been a real work on for us. But fair play to Worcester, they were good on their day.”
Appleby though, was at pains to credit the performance of young Welsh back Niamh Terry, who keeps her place in the starting XV after a strong showing last time out.
“Niamh’s done really well. She’s a good player, she’s got a really good skillset. She’s just trying to find her way into what shirt fits her. But she did really well and built a lot of confidence from that performance.”
Reflecting on the fact that her side were now entering the final third of their debut season, Appleby admitted that it had “absolutely flown by.”
This weekend sees Appleby’s side return to the home comforts of Sandy Park against a Sharks side that are yet to record a victory so far this season. Appleby though, is wary of the danger that facing a side such as DMP poses to her team and won’t be resting on her laurels come match-day.
“It’s a different proposition this week with Darlington coming all the way down,” she added. “It’s always a dangerous prospect playing someone who is at the bottom of the league and struggling, so we’ve had to prepare as if we’re playing any other team in the league and give them the upmost respect.
“They’ve got some very good players. Beth Blacklock in the centre-field, she really drives the game. They’ve got some good forwards, some good young forwards and some good young players that are developing.”
Despite respecting the challenge that DMP will pose to her side, Appleby maintains that the focus is “firmly back on us” back at Sandy Park.
Exeter’s encounter with DMP in Darlington earlier in the season was somewhat of a stodgy affair, with the hosts taking an early advantage before the Chiefs hit their straps in a 31-6 victory. Appleby admitted after that match that she “wasn’t satisfied” with the performance and Saturday gives her side an opportunity to show just how much they have learnt since that encounter back in Round 5.
Injuries and international call-ups have left Appleby needing to make several changes to her side this weekend, with two changes to the starting XV. Injury to Lottie Holland and the continued absence of Lauren Cattell, sees Niamh Terry shift to outside centre, with Louise Burgess coming in for her first start for the club and Merryn Doidge reverting back to her preferred position of full-back.
In the pack, club captain Linde van der Velden is on international duty with the Netherlands, allowing the rampaging Rachel Johnson to come into the starting team for the first time after an impressive second-half performance against Worcester, Kate Zackary shifts to No.8.
Despite the rejigging of her team ahead of Saturday lunchtime, Appleby sees it as an opportunity to grow her squad.
“Abstractions lead to opportunities. Injuries lead to opportunities and the girls are really raring to go, especially those who are in for the first time.”
Appleby also confirmed first match-day involvements for two young backs, in Gabby Gower and Olivia Churcher.
“Also coming off the bench, there’s first involvements for Gabby Gower, who’s one of our young apprentices and also Liv Churcher who just turned 18 in January. Everything is just continuing to grow and grow and the competition for shirts is huge. Hopefully they can all perform well this weekend.”
Tomorrow’s match will also be livestreamed on the Exeter Chiefs YouTube channel, with kick-off at midday.
EXETER CHIEFS TEAM TO FACE DMP DURHAM SHARKS
15. Merryn Doidge
14. Louise Burgess
13. Niamh Terry
12. Gabby Cantorna
11. Garnet Mackinder (capt)
10. Taylor Black
9. Flo Robinson
1. Olivia DeMerchant
2. Emily Tuttosi
3. Sachiko Kato
4. Poppy Leitch
5. McKinley Hunt
6. Ebony Jefferies
7. Rachel Johnson
8. Kate Zackary
16. Joanna Kitlinski
17. Michaella Roberts
18. Kayleigh Armstrong
19. Abbie Fleming
20. Daisy French
21. Meg Davies
22. Gabby Gower
23. Olivia Churcher