Full Match Report

Bevon Armitage

EXETER CHIEFS 32 DONCASTER KNIGHTS 20

A perfect goal kicking display by Exeter fly half Gareth Steenson, who kicked six penalties and two conversions out of eight attempts, sent Doncaster Knights home empty handed after a much improved performance that should have at least earned them a bonus point for their troubles and which, with a more discipline at key points of the game, could have ended up with an even better result for them.

For their first trip of the season to the South West, the Knights made a number of changes with Bevon Armitage and Chris Hallam replacing Chris Briars and Matt D’Arcy at centre and scrum half respectively. In the pack Howells made two positional changes with Tom Davies moving across the scrum in place of Ngalu Ta’u at prop and Dan Smith dropping back a row from lock to No 8. Into their places came two summer signings with Scottish “A” prop Stuart Corsar and young lock Glen Townson getting their first starts of the season.

With elite referee Rob Debney in charge, Exeter kicked off with the advantage of the strong breeze but it was Doncaster who went ahead after only 5 minutes when the home side were penalised in front of their own posts for holding on after a high up and under by the Knights and a great chase by centres Armitage and Hudson Tonga’uiha. Knights fly half James Brooks duly kicked the goal but this was cancelled out almost immediately by Steenson’s first penalty for Doncaster going over the top at a ruck, a kick that was made easier when the Knights were marched back 10 metres for back chatting the referee. Shortly afterwards Exeter went into the lead when the Knights were penalised deep in the home half for a late charge and Steenson kicked the penalty from where the ball had landed 35 metres out. Although playing into the breeze the Knights took the game to the Chiefs with a well executed kicking game and could have extended their lead with a penalty and drop goal attempt by Brooks. With 18 minutes gone the Knights were awarded a penalty 35 metres out which Hallam took quickly and, when he was stopped 22 metres out, the pack took over and their driving maul, with help from centres Armitage and Tonga’uiha, took the Exeter back to their own try line where the referee awarded Doncaster a penalty try which Brooks duly converted. Although the Knights had the better of the next 10 minutes their over- enthusiasm at the breakdown cost them again when Steenson kicked his third penalty after 30 minutes. Shortly afterwards Doncaster lost a line out on their own throw and, after driving into the Knights half, a clever chip to the right wing allowed winger Matt Jess to catch the visitor’s defence asleep and evade two tackles to score in the corner which Steenson converted from the touchline. As the first half went into injury time Doncaster were awarded a scrum on their 22 and, under pressure at the back of the scrum, they were again penalised for going over the ball and Steenson kicked his fourth penalty to take his side into a slightly fortunate lead at half-time.

Turning around 19 points to 10 down, the Knights needed a good start to the second half with the diagonal breeze in their favour but their wide defence was again caught asleep when a chip to the corner fell lose to give full back Josh Matavesi a simple try. Even from fairly wide out Steenson’s conversion was a formality in the form he was in and it was game on for the Knights. This reverse stung the Knights into action and, after pressure on the Chiefs defence, Brooks kicked a penalty. The Knights came back again and, after continuous pressure on the Chiefs line was just held up by the Chiefs defence, the ball was moved quickly to the left where Armitage broke a tackle to score wide out which Brooks improved with a good conversion. With the difference now only six points to the Chiefs, the Knights were in with a real chance and could have got closer but a penalty attempt by Brooks drifted just wide in the breeze. Although the play went from end to end, the Knights indiscipline cost them dear as they gave Steenson two penalty attempts which he gratefully accepted. With the game approaching the whistle the Knights threw everything into the attack and they had two lineouts in quick succession inside the Chiefs 22. However their powerful pack could not gain the necessary possession and when the final whistle went the Knights were left reflecting on what might have been.

After the game Doncaster’s Director of Rugby Lynn Howells said that, although his side had given a much improved performance from the previous week, it was still not good enough if they expect to travel to sides like Exeter and get a result. He said he was particularly disappointed at the penalty count against his side which, although not a lot worse that the home side (11 as against 8), had been at key times and in key positions on the field. He said that he would be looking for another increase in intensity and greater discipline for this coming week’s game at home to Cornish Pirates on Friday evening

Exeter Chiefs: Matavesi (Rennie 57), Jess, Dolman, Cornwell, Foster, Steenson, Thomas (Stuart-Smith 55), Sturgess, Clark (Alcott 65), Tui, Hayes (Tomes 73), Hanks, Johnson (Slade 73), Scaysbrook, Baxter
Subs not used: Murphy, Gray

Doncaster Knights: Davies R, Wright, Armitage (Briers 60), Tonga’uiha, Flockhart, Brooks, Hallam (D’Arcy 60), Corsar (Toke 45), Boden (Lawrie 67), Davies T, Kenworthy (Griffiths 67), Townson, Kettle (Boyde 47), Smith, Grainger Sub not used: McColl