Clive Stuart-Smith column

By Clive Stuart-Smith
Exeter Chiefs scrum-half and BBC Devon columnist

When we had the ball we struggled to get any tempo as they managed to slow our ball down consistently

After a hard-fought win over Bristol confidence was high, however we knew that London Welsh were going to pose something of a different threat.

Welsh had been playing arguably some of the best attacking rugby in the Championship.

As a squad we had a good week and felt prepared for what they were going to throw at us.

One thing we had spoken about was that we had conceded a lot of points since the season began, and that teams were scoring too many points against us.

That was a real focal point going into the match.

Welsh showed their intent very early on, attacking from everywhere, and they certainly asked us serious questions.

When we had the ball we struggled to get any tempo as they managed to slow our ball down consistently.

After camping on their line for ten minutes at the end of the first half we managed to get over the line for a hard fought try.

Had we not got over the line they would have had a big psychological advantage coming out for the second half.

The second half belonged to London Welsh but we were very stubborn defensively, not allowing them a proverbial sniff of our line.

When the game was brought to a close there was basically a bundle of battered and bruised bodies from the brutality at the breakdown, which was nothing short of backbreaking.

We will be trying to put our defensive effort against London Welsh and our attacking game against Bristol together

Clive Stuart-Smith

Alliteration aside, we face the Bees this week.

Birmingham have been scoring a lot of points recently and we have a hard task of trying to contain them.

We will be trying to put our defensive effort against London Welsh and our attacking game against Bristol together, but that is not as easy as it sounds.

A big talking point this week has been whether people watch Strictly Come Dancing or the X Factor due to the clash of times.

Is it possible for decisions to get tougher than that?

If you can't decide, if it all is too much for you, then perhaps watching Josh Matavesi could tick all the boxes.

He has the uncanny ability to dance like Usher, whilst at the same time sing like George Michael, so definitely has a future in entertainment.

He has most definitely been blessed.

He does however still need your vote so please, please, please, pick up the phone and call.