Phil Dollman: Enjoying a fan's eye view of the Chiefs

It was great to see the big guns of the team firing on all cylinders. None more than Dave Ewers, running out on his 200th appearance for the club.

I can’t think of many other players to my knowledge who have played a better 200 games, the man makes an impact on every game, significant impacts as well. I’d guess that around 90% of these appearances were played in either the Premiership or European Cup competitions.

Congrats big man here’s hoping for a 100 more.

While Dave was crossing the whitewash for such a huge milestone, there was another milestone on that day with a young Welshman taking the field for his first Champions Cup match, Dafydd Jenkins (I’m that old that I played with his Dad). A proud moment for his family, who come from my neck of the woods, and he is certainly a major prospect for future.

The weekend was full of positive results on all rugby fronts, with the Sidmouth boys putting another improved performance away at North Petherton on Friday night. A big side with plenty of big lads in the pack, also with another familiar face coaching them, Nic Sestaret.

The final scoreline at Sandy Park was a very impressive result with the likes of Nowellsy and Hoggy standing out, but Tom O’Flaherty again the man of the moment. As a full-back, it’s great to see the Chiefs outside men leading with their performances.

For quite some time, the game was seemingly ruled by the forwards, yet the backs are getting the fair shot, with their skill and flair showing through at the moment. For you tight five out there….. don’t misunderstand my sentiment, I fully understand how the game is won up front.

The atmosphere and the brand of rugby on show on both Friday and Saturday says to me that rugby is alive and kicking in Devon and here’s hoping for more of the same in the coming months.

Dafydd Jenkins of Exeter Chiefs (Image: PINNACLE PHOTO AGENCY LTD - PPAUK)