Women's captain wants to build on win

By Harry Scott-Munro
10/11/20

Captain Linde van der Velden believes there is still ‘more to come’ from her and her Exeter Chiefs team-mates after they secured their first-ever win in the Allianz Premier 15s with victory over Worcester Warriors.

The Dutch No.8 led from the front as Susie Appleby’s side produced a season-best showing to overcome the Midlanders at Sandy Park.

After a cagey opening period, Worcester struck first through a converted Vicky Foxwell try, before scores from Lottie Holland and Emily Tuttosi gave the Chiefs a 12-7 lead at the break.

A third score after the break from Spanish prop Laura Delgado, converted by Gabby Cantorna, stretched the home side’s lead to 19-7 – a position they were able to hold on until the end of the Round 4 contest.

“It feels so good,” said a beaming van der Velden at the final whistle. “We were very close when we played Bristol and now, I think we’re finally there. Of course, there is still a lot to work on, but to get the win at Sandy Park is just an amazing feeling. We’re just going to build from here.”

Echoing the words of her head coach, van der Velden wasn’t completely satisfied with the whole performance, adding: “I think sometimes we made it a bit difficult for ourselves, but at the end of the day a win is a win and we’re just going to build from here.”

She was also full of praise for the new faces in the starting XV and her side in general. She said: “They did so good. Bimba [Delgado] with her first try as well. We have so many great players.”

Van der Velden also pointed to the strength in depth Exeter Chiefs are beginning to find as players return to full fitness.

“There are more great players that haven’t played yet, so maybe they’ll be making their debuts later in the season. It’s just an amazing group and a great group of girls.”

Against the backdrop of a second national lockdown, the position she finds herself in of still being able to play competitive rugby was not lost on the captain: “We’re so privileged that we can keep on playing. Hopefully, soon we can have a livestream so they [the fans] can follow us as I know lots of them always ask, from the Netherlands and more people that would like to follow us.”

Next up for the Chiefs is this weekend’s lengthy trip to bottom club DMP Sharks, who were on the wrong end of a hefty 105-0 loss away to Wasps last time out.