Sandy Park

Chiefs skipper disappointed with loss

by Mark Stevens

New skipper Dean Mumm bemoaned a poor first half showing as Exeter Chiefs kicked off the new Aviva Premiership season with a disappointing 38-11 defeat at Northampton Saints.

In a one-sided first 40 minutes at Franklin's Gardens, the impressive Saints ran riot as they claimed a try bonus point inside 36 minutes thanks to touchdowns from Dylan Hartley, Tom Wood, Ken Pisi and George Pisi.

Although the Chiefs improved greatly after the break - claiming a try through Mumm himself - the home side had the final word when replacement Samu Manoa crossed from...

b2b event at Sandy Park selling out fast

Authored by Marc Astley
Posted: Fri, 09/06/2013 - 11:15am

Devon businesses are being offered a unique opportunity to showcase their products and services at Sandy Park, the home of the Exeter Chiefs.

The day will feature seminars, workshops and 40-plus exhibitors.

Speakers already confirmed include the rugby club’s head coach, Rob Baxter and the founder of The Exeter Daily, Marc Astley.

The aim of the event, called b2b@Sandy Park, is to provide a forum that will help businesses to not only engage with each other but also develop and grow.

Bev Gratton of Sandy Park said: “Although there is a vibrant business...

Baxter positive despite defeat

Rob Baxter is confident his Exeter Chiefs squad will have learnt plenty from their pre-season programme, despite ending it with a narrow home loss against Heineken Cup rivals Glasgow Warriors.

Having overcome Scarlets (23-15) and Bristol (51-7) in their first two friendlies, the Devon club were undone home soil by the Warriors who headed back north of the border with a 29-26 win under their belts.

It was a disappointing ending to pre-season for the Chiefs, but head coach Baxter admitted all three fixtures had provided useful work-outs for his players ahead of this weekend’s...

Chiefs lose final pre-season outing

Exeter Chiefs lost their final pre-season outing as Glasgow’s attacking prowess came out on top at Sandy Park,writes Mark Stevens.

Welshman Tom James scored a brace of tries for the Chiefs and fly-half Gareth Steenson kicked the rest of the points, but two tries from Byron McGuigan and one each from Alex Dunbar and Mark Bennett saw the visitors come through to win.

Steenson opened the scoring with a penalty after just three minutes as the Chiefs started well, but opposite number Scott Wight levelled things up two minutes later as Dave Ewers gave away a penalty at a ruck....

Super TJ looking to secure a starting place

Tom Johnson says regaining his place within the Exeter Chiefs starting line-up is his immediate goal ahead of the new 2013/14 season.

Having made his first start for the Devon club since January in last Saturday’s pre-season win over Bristol, the England international is hoping another big display against Glasgow Warriors this weekend will bolster his chances of featuring in Exeter’s seasonal opener at Northampton Saints on September 7.

The all-action forward was enjoying a terrific season last term until a damaging knee injury sustained in the Heineken Cup against Leinster...

Baxter names Chiefs side to face Glasgow

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has called on his side to “front up” for their final pre-season test against Glasgow Warriors at Sandy Park tomorrow (3pm).

With warm-up victories over Scarlets (23-15) and Bristol (51-7) already secured in the past fortnight, the Chiefs will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent record against the visiting Scotsmen.

With just over a week to go until Exeter’s Aviva Premiership opener at Northampton Saints, Baxter hopes to use this latest work-out as the perfect preparation tool ahead of their 2013-14 campaign.

“It’s a good...

Hayes predicts a stern test from Glasgow

Tom Hayes expects a real shift in focus from the Exeter Chiefs over the coming week as the countdown to the new Aviva Premiership draws ever closer, writes Mark Stevens.

The Devon club will wrap up their pre-season programme this Saturday when they welcome Glasgow Warriors to Sandy Park (3pm) – and just one week before they kick-off their league opener away to Northampton Saints.

Having overcome Scarlets (23-15) and Bristol (51-7) in their opening two friendlies, Irishman Hayes expects the visiting Scotsmen to pose a stern test in the club’s final work-out.

“We...

Big Chief relishing his new challenge

Exeter Chiefs newcomer Romana Graham says he is “excited” by the challenge that lies ahead after he became the latest addition to the playing ranks at Sandy Park. The imposing 6ft 7in, 117kg forward, who is Rob Baxter’s seventh signing ahead of the new 2013/14 season, has arrived in Devon following five years playing with the New Zealand-based Chiefs in the Super 15, as well as provincial side Waikato whom he helped lift the Ranfurly Shield last year. An athletic forward, who is not only highly skilled and strong aerially, Graham’s capture provides the Chiefs with another experienced...

There's still work to do despite win says Baxter

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter insists his side still have areas to work on ahead of the new season despite defeating Bristol 51-7 in their latest pre-season friendly at Sandy Park.

In a dominant display from the Premiership club, the Chiefs simply had too much for their Championship rivals as tries from Ben White, Ian Whitten, Tom Johnson, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Sam Townsend, Tom James and Henry Slade (2) secured a comfortable success.

Bristol countered with a late converted try through centre Fatua Otta, but that was to be a rare moment of joy on a tough afternoon in...

Phillips is all out to impress Baxter

Former Bristol player James Phillips will be looking to make a good impression against his old club for more than one reason.

As well as bragging rights, a place in the team for the first Premiership game of the season is up for grabs.

Having seen his campaign last season blighted by a knee injury sustained in the home game with Saracens, the imposing forward is now back to full fitness and keen to make up for lost time.

The Bristol-born star featured for 40 minutes in Exeter’s 23-15 friendly win at Scarlets and he will get another run out against his hometown club...

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