It’s great start to New Year – Hogg

STUART HOGG was delighted to celebrate his decision to stay at Exeter with a man-ofthe match performance.

“The smile on my face today tells the whole story,” he said. “I love it here at Exeter and I want to learn and get better every day and hopefully I’m doing exactly that.

“Bristol didn’t allow us to kick on, that was down to their pressure and good play but we regrouped and actually we are chuffed to bits with that one. It’s a good way to start the new year.

“We were determined to come out and give a proper Chiefs performance.

“We didn’t get it exactly right in the second half but you can’t be perfect all the time.”

Bristol boss Pat Lam said: “It was very physical against Leicester last week, it was frustrating this week against Exeter but hopefully we will get the job done next week against Sale.

“I’m telling the boys to keep going, it will come. You have to break through a wall and on the other side of the wall is wins and success. Some teams give up but keep pushing, never give up.

“Everybody did some really good things and I’m proud of the boys’ efforts. And everybody did things that they will know that put us under pressure.”