Exeter Chiefs 15 - 0 Gael Force: A pointless trip for Force

Published on Saturday 28 November 2009 22:04

GAEL Force's hopes of bouncing back from their British and Irish Cup opening day 29-8 loss at Cornish Pirates were blown away in the wind and rain on another long and fruitless trip to the south of England.

Force head coach Stephen Gemmell had freshened up his starting line-up by making nine changes and had drafted rejuvenated Scotland internationalist David Callam into his side.

Gemmell had reshuffled his pack and introduced a new-look back-row containing 26-year-old Callam, who has recently recovered from a long-term hip problem, and Scotland 'A' internationalists James Eddie and Calum Forrester.

National Academy players Colin Phillips (prop) and Robert Harley (lock) were handed starting spots in the front five as Gemmell aimed to see a more physical showing from his pack.

But it was the Chiefs who had the upper had, bouncing back from their only competitive defeat of the season last week with a win more convincing than the scoreline might suggest. In a match played in increasingly appalling conditions, Exeter controlled possession and territory throughout, and although Gael Force put up a spirited resistance, the home side did not allow them side the faintest hint of a score.

Force tested the catching ability of Chiefs' back Clive Stuart-Smith early on, but after seven minutes conceded a penalty when they dived over the top of a breakdown. The Chiefs' Danny Gray kicked to the 22-metre line, and although the subsequent move off the line out broke down, the home side were awarded another penalty for holding on, which Gray knocked over from 25 metres out.

Exeter were given another penalty opportunity two minutes later after a back-pedalling Gael Force scrum was forced to offend but Gray kicked wide. He had a chance to put that miss right just three minutes later as Exeter forced another penalty by competing strongly at the breakdown but again, from nearly the same spot, the kick went wide.

Exeter almost created the first try of the day on 21 minutes after Stuart-Smith chipped a clever kick to the Force's blind side; Sean Marsden looked certain to score but just knocked on as the try-line beckoned.

Though Exeter skipper Alan Miller left the field injured after 26 minutes, Force continued to struggle in the battle up front, particularly their scrummage. Another penalty attempt by Gray on 30 minutes hit the post and, as the conditions worsened as the half ended, it was clear that it was going to be difficult for Exeter to convert their domination into points.

Chiefs began the second period as they has finished the first and soon had the Force's scrum back pedalling and offending after a couple of minutes from the restart. Gray missed with another penalty, but after 51 minutes Exeter's forwards were awarded a penalty 15 metres out and opted to take a scrum. They overcame the Scottish set-piece again and, as they trundled towards the try-line, a defender's boot came through the scrum and kicked the ball away giving the referee little option other than to award a penalty try which Gray gratefully converted.

As the half progressed the slippery ball made handling difficult and basic errors were common. Exeter's Dave Ewers looked as though he may have scored a try after 65 minutes, only for the officials to decide that he had not grounded the ball. With five minutes to go, another Ewers carry off the back of a scrum 15 metres out set up a ruck from which Chris Budgen sneaked the ball over for a try.

Exeter Chiefs: Lewis; Marsden, McKenzie, Bedford, Sestaret; Gray, Stuart-Smith (Bolt 64mins); Moon, Blythe (Nelson 53mins), Andrew (Budgen 54mins), Tomes (Bentley 60mins), Hanks, Alan Miller (capt) (Ewers 26mins), Andy Miller, Stupple (Calder 64mins). Replacement not used: Dollman.

Gael Force: Blair; Kinloch, Murchie, Horne, Bury (McCulloch 75mins); Gregor, Jericevich (Samson 47mins); Little, Thomson (capt) (Crombie 61mins), Phillips (Orr 54mins), McKenzie, Harley, Eddie, Forrester, Callam (McInally 60mins).

Scorers: Exeter Chiefs – Tries: penalty, Budgen; Con: Gray; Pen: Gray.

Referee: Gwyn Morris

Attendance: 2,478