Clive Stuart-Smith column

Exeter Chiefs scrum-half and BBC Devon columnist

Saturday was one of the most surreal games I have been involved in. We found ourselves 34-5 up with 30 minutes of the match gone without really constructing anything. It's quite a strange place to be in.

Arriving in Leeds, we were greeted with six inches of snow.

A couple of snowballs were childishly thrown at each other and the "accidental" taxi before we continued the journey towards our hotel for the night.

Everybody has their own form of relaxation when it comes to travelling. If you were to peer down the bus while in transit you will see a number of activities going on.

The crossword is being attacked, books are being read, cards being played, the secret stash of Jaffa cakes are being discretely eaten, a distinct tone of snoring is heard and for the multi-talented a combination of all of these at the same time.

You also have Danny Gray sitting on three plump pillows to give the impression that he is the same height as everyone else.

However, things then took a turn for the worse. We conceded a try just before half time and the realisation set in that we actually were in a game.

As the second half began, we were under pressure immediately. Doncaster scored early on and we just couldn't get our hands on the ball.

Next match in the diary is Esher, who recently ran both Doncaster and Bedford very close. They are a quality side and we will be giving them our utmost respect

Clive Stuart-Smith

Unfortunately, one of our lads got sent off and being down to 14 men we needed to dig deep. The momentum that Doncaster had did not stop.

The last couple of minutes we were in danger of losing the game and the clock certainly seemed to move a lot slower. It was an outstanding defensive effort and something that we should be proud of.

Next match in the diary is Esher, who recently ran both Doncaster and Bedford very close. They are a quality side and we will be giving them our utmost respect.

As the snow seems to be just around the corner it certainly brings an excitement with it.

Simon the Snowman has survived the year so far, but will he melt before the end of 2009?

Last year, Tom Bedford managed to build a snowman he was very proud of. He bonded with him so well that he even named him, Simon.

Before Simon melted, Tom placed him in the bottom of the freezer, standing comfortably in between the chicken and the peas.

After finding Simon with a few choc ice wrappers discarded on the floor next to him and chocolate spread over his face, I think the time has come to let him go back to the wild. It will be an emotional farewell.