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Exeter need to upset Bristol's crowd - Graham Dawe

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/8701316.stm

Plymouth Albion chairman of rugby Graham Dawe says Exeter can win their play-off final if they manage to turn Bristol's crowd against their team.

The Chiefs beat Bristol 9-6 in the first-leg of the Championship final at Sandy Park last Wednesday.

He told BBC Spotlight: "Exeter have got to try and play with some tempo and they need a little bit of luck.

"They need to get the Bristol crowd upset with their own team, and then they might sneak a win."

Dawe added: "It's in Exeter's hands, they're going into the game in the lead and by good fortune they could spend the next 12 months in the Premiership."

With only three points separating the two sides ahead of Wednesday's second-leg, former England international Dawe believes whichever side can hold their nerve and convert their chances will be celebrating after 80 minutes.

He said: "All the signs are that Bristol at home will win the game, but they didn't do enough to try and beat Exeter at Sandy Park, they were just content to stay in touch and that might come back to bite them.

"If Exeter get a penalty and a try early on, and then suddenly it's 13-0.

"I think a few of Bristol's supporters would get fidgety and you don't know how people react under pressure."

Dawe, who is Plymouth Albion's chairman of rugby, said that if the Chiefs were to win promotion to the Premiership, the benefits would be felt right across the region.

He said: "The south west has been crying out for a Premiership team for a long time and I think the RFU want a Premiership team down here and we'll just have to wait and see.

"Exeter have made their investment, they've recruited well and they've got a good team.

"Whether it's good enough to get them into the Premiership, only time will tell, but it'll go down in history as a great year and a great campaign for them," added Dawe.
 

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