Bath snatch late 33-26 win over Exeter Chiefs

Bath Rugby 33-26 Exeter Chiefs, The Rec

Bath Rugby claimed a dramatic 33-26 victory over Exeter Chiefs at the Recreation Ground, sealing the contest in the final stage and denying the visitors what looked to be a hard-earned draw.

The match began in chaotic fashion for Exeter. Just three minutes in, winger Campbell Ridl was shown a 20-minute red card for a tackle in the air on Henry Arundell, who landed awkwardly and required medical attention.

Bath immediately made their numerical advantage count. Sustained pressure on the Exeter line was finished by Beno Obano, who crashed over from close range, with Finn Russell converting making it 7-0.

Bath struck again soon after. Alfie Barbeary wriggled free to score following a clever in-field chip from Russell, before Santi Carreras crossed a minute later to stretch the lead further. Russell’s accurate kicking made it three from three, making it 21-0 and Bath tightened their grip when Ollie Lawrence ran in the bonus-point try, though the conversion was missed.

Exeter responded before the break. A driving maul powered Joseph Dweba over, with Henry Slade converting, and moments later Olly Woodburn produced a fine finish in the opposite corner from a long pass, again converted by Slade. Bath went into half-time leading 26-14.

Bath thought they had extended their lead early in the second half, but Ben Spencer’s try was ruled out for crossing. Exeter then took control for a sustained spell, battering the Bath line until Greg Fisilau forced his way over in the 66th minute. Slade’s conversion drifted wide, leaving Chiefs seven points adrift.

Momentum stayed with the visitors. Seven minutes from time, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso finished off strong forward work to score Exeter’s bonus-point try. Slade converted from the touchline to level the match at 26-26.

Just as Exeter looked set to escape with a draw, Bath launched a relentless final attack. After close to 40 phases inside the Chiefs’ 22, replacement Arthur Green crashed over beneath the posts for the decisive try. Russell added the conversion with the final kick to seal a 33-26 win.

Team line up:

Bath: Carreras; Arundell, Lawrence, Redpath, Muir; Russell, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, Sela, Opoku-Gyamfi, Molony, Hill, Pepper, Barbeary

Reserves: Tuipulotu, Kirk, Du Toit, Roux, Underhill, Carr-Smith, Hennessey, Green

Exeter: Woodburn; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Rigg, Ridl; Skinner, Varney; Sio, Dweba, Tchumbadze, Jenkins (c), Zambonin, Hooper, E Roots, Fisilau

Reserves: Yeandle, Goodrick-Clarke, J Roots, Tuima, James, Chapman, Haydon-Wood, John