Short guides Exeter Chiefs to 11-17 win over Bath Rugby

Bath Rugby 11-17 Exeter Chiefs, Recreation Ground
Scorecard

Replacement James Short scored two tries in the final 10 minutes as Exeter Chiefs made a terrific comeback to win the Aviva Premiership encounter against Bath Rugby by 11-17 at Recreation Ground on Saturday.

The defeat was also Bath's first defeat at home since 1st April. Fly-half George Ford kicked the proceedings for the home side with back-to-back penalties while England international Semesa Rokoduguni's 30th minute try helped them secure a 11-0 lead at half-time.

The lead remained intact for Todd Blackadder's men until the 61st minute when Gareth Steenson opened Exeter Chiefs account with a penalty.

Trailing by eight points and 10 minutes to go in the game, Short strolled past the post in the 71st minute while Steenson added the extras and the gap was down to one point.

Bath fell in deep trouble when they lost all their available props and were reduced to 14-men with Nathan Catt the latest to fail a head assessment injury leading to which referee Craig Maxwell-Keys called for uncontested scrums.

This was capitalised by Short once again as he crossed over in the 76th minute for the decisive try that helped Exeter Chiefs secure a crucial six-point win.

Bath head coach Toby Booth said losing the three props hurt the team badly.

"What we have to be really honest about is when you play against top four sides, the margins are very slight.

"Exeter are a very good side, we know that, but losing three props and going to uncontested scrums hasn't helped anyone, so from that point of view it's very disappointing.

"But you need to take your chances and ultimately they took the two chances that they had and we didn't take the two that we had.

"We're disappointed, but if you think what happened down there, I'm sure they were disappointed at home and us stealing it at the death, so I suppose it's honours even."