Match Summary
- Bath Tries: Cameron Redpath, Bernard van der Linde, Dan du Preez, Finn Russell, Penalty Try, Ted Hill
- Bath Conversions: Finn Russell (4)
- Exeter Tries: Stephen Varney, Jack Yeandle, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (2)
- Exeter Conversions: Henry Slade (3)
- Exeter Penalty: Harvey Skinner
Bath maintained a perfect start to their Premiership campaign, securing a 40-34 win against Exeter Chiefs in a high-scoring encounter. The result provided the hosts with a measure of redemption following their narrow loss to the same side in last season’s semi-final at this venue. The last meeting between the pair at the same venue is a match that will be remembered forever as the Chiefs came from 16 points down at half-time to win their Prem semi-final by a single point.
The match showcased the league’s current emphasis on attacking rugby, with both teams combining for 11 tries. Bath established dominance early, utilizing a bonus-point display in the first half. Tries from Cameron Redpath, Bernard van der Linde, Dan du Preez, and Finn Russell established a 26-10 lead by the interval. Just as they did three months ago, exchanging 11 tries as the all-out attack approach to the new season continued, the two sides produced another thrilling game. That defeat dethroned Bath as champions and they were looking ruthless as they grabbed two early tries. However, they could not keep the hosts out for long with more livewire stuff from van der Linde at the heart of it as he combined with Ewan Richards and although the little South African was held up a few metres short, there was no stopping compatriot du Preez from that distance.
Redpath’s opener arrived via a sharp interception of a Harvey Skinner pass, allowing him a clear run from his own half. Soon after, scrum-half van der Linde capitalized on a defensive gap to extend the lead. Exeter responded through Stephen Varney and Jack Yeandle, but Bath finished the half strongly with Russell’s solo effort. Giving him a free run to the line from inside his own half and there was opportunism about Bath’s second score, as scrum-half van der Linde spotted a gap, dummied and sprinted over from just outside the 22, redpath read Skinner’s intentions to make an interception at point-blank range. Exeter had to respond and Feyi-Waboso’s burst near the corner drew in enough defenders to allow Varney to exploit space to get his side on the board.
The momentum shifted dramatically within 15 minutes of the restart. Exeter utilized a powerful drive to set up a Josh Iosefa-Scott score, followed by a brace from England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. The visitor’s resurgence briefly put them five points ahead, mirroring the dramatic comeback they staged in their previous encounter at the Rec. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored twice for Exeter with the new Prem season now up to 63 tries in six matches.
Bath’s bench ultimately turned the tide. After sustained pressure, Stephen Varney was sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on, resulting in a penalty try for Bath. Replacement flanker Ted Hill subsequently powered over to solidify the lead. While Henry Slade missed a late penalty, a 79th-minute strike from Skinner ensured Exeter departed with two bonus points.
Director of Rugby Reaction
Bath director of rugby Johann van Graan praised his side’s depth: “It was a crazy game. We started well but they came out punching. Our bench, numbers 16 to 23, made a significant difference.”
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter reflected on the performance: “I am walking away feeling we have a team here to work with. Despite a patchy performance last week, today we showed the qualities of being in a fight to the death.”
Team Lineups
- Bath: Donoghue, Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Redpath, de Glanville, Russell, van der Linde, Obano, Dunn, Stuart, Roux, Ewels (capt), Richards, Pepper, du Preez. Replacements: Frost, Kirk, Griffin, Hill, Reid, Carr-Smith, Ojomoh, Coetzee.
- Exeter: Woodburn, Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Butt, Wyatt, Skinner, Varney, Burger, Yeandle, Iosefa-Scott, Wilson, Jenkins (capt), E Roots, James, Fisilau. Replacements: Gulley, Goodrick-Clarke, Tchumbadze, Beckerleg, Worley Brady, Wolstenholme, Haydon-Wood, Wimbush.
