Late penalty try help Exeter snatch 29-31 win over Bristol

Bristol Rugby 29-31 Exeter Chiefs, Ashton Gate
Scorecard

A last-gasp penalty try proved vital as Exeter Chiefs edged out Bristol Rugby 29-31 in their Gallagher Premiership clash at Ashton Gate on Sunday.

The win meant Exeter have maintained their position at the top of the table with seven wins from as many games while Bristol are at 10th place.

The first 30 minutes of the game saw Callum Sheedy score four penalties as Bristol had a promising start but Exeter were in the game as Moray Low crossed over in the eighth minute with Gareth Steenson kicking the extras.

The visitors went on to claim the lead in the 31st minute when they managed to get their second try through Tom Ladway but it was Charles Piutau's touchdown on his Premiership debut for Bristol provided them a 19-12 lead when he went over the line in the 36th minute that was improved by Sheedy.

Pat Lam's side further stretched their lead to 14 points with Luke Morahan strolled over the line in the 46th minute and Sheedy added the extras but Exeter did not relent under pressure as Santiago Cordero weaved his way over the line in the 53rd minute to bring the gap down to seven points.

The momentum swung towards Exeter as Don Armand set up hooker Jack Yeandle for an unconverted try as Exeter were trailing by two points by the end of the 70th minute.

A fifth penalty from Sheedy with six minutes left in the game calmed the nerves of Bristol with their lead increasing to five points but the game turned on its head when referee Greg Macdonald ruled Bristol had illegally brought down a rolling maul during the added minutes and awarded a much-needed penalty try for Exeter as they completed a 29-31 victory.