Bath 23 Chiefs 15

Bath          23

Exeter Chiefs    15

Mark Stevens at the Recreation Ground

In the days of the Roman Coliseum, it was tradition that you would fight to the death, upholding your honour at all times.

Well, Exeter Chiefs certainly did that at Bath's Recreation Ground, but their brave endeavours brought them only plaudits, rather than crucial league points and a prized scalp, following an absorbing Aviva Premiership encounter.

Returning to league action following their testing exertions in the Heineken Cup, the Chiefs seemed somewhat off pace in the opening exchanges and Gary Gold's side duly made them pay as they claimed early scores through backs Ben Williams and Kyle Eastmond.

Fly-half Stephen Donald punted over the remainder of Bath's first half points, whilst in reply the visitors countered with a try from prop Brett Sturgess.

The second half, however, was a much different affair and having seemingly shaken off the effects of their Heineken hangover, Rob Baxter's men were indeed much improved as they claimed further reward through Ignacio Mieres and Gareth Steenson.

It was, however, a crucial third try from Bath's very own gladiator, Francois Louw, which proved decisive in the grand scheme of things. His crucial touchdown midway through the half was a clever sucker punch, just as the Chiefs were winding themselves up for the end kill.

Although Exeter huffed and puffed in pursuit of success, Bath - who had centre Dan Hipkiss dismissed for a second yellow card late on - continue to hold the Indian sign over their nearest and dearest.

Bruised and battered following their testing introduction to life in the Heineken Cup, Baxter was still happy to send out the majority of his troops who had figured in the club's first two European battles against reigning champions Leinster and French giants Clermont Auvergne.

Indeed, of the changes the Exeter leader made to his starting ranks, the introduction of international stars Dean Mumm and Gonzalo Camacho merely added to Exeter's attacking arsenal ahead of kick-off in the Roman city.

Bath, meanwhile, bolstered by successive victories over Bucharest Wolves and Agen in the Amlin Challenge Cup, were also able to parade a powerful line-up, spearheaded at half-back by Michael Claassens and Donald, the World Cup winning All Black.

And it was fly-half Donald who was able to convert Bath's opening try of the game which arrived on three minutes through centre Williams, who was able to coast over in the right-hand corner following a powerful break through the middle by former England international Nick Abendanon.

Within minutes the Chiefs had the opportunity to reduce the arrears when referee Wayne Barnes penalised the home side for a scrum offence, but Exeter No.10 Steenson was unable to capitalise, striking his kick from wide on the right flank against the near post.

Bath duly made light off the let-off and stung the Chiefs for a second time on 15 minutes as another powerful raid, this time from home skipper Francois Louw, had the visiting defence scrambling. With a host of Exeter bodies laid strewn on the ground following the South African's ram-raid, Claassens and Donald exposed the numbers game to good effect to send winger Eastmond over in the corner to make it 12-0.

Baxter's side were in need of a lift and having seen a second Steenson fail to hit the mark, their efforts were duly rewarded when prop Sturgess was the beneficiary of a slick handling move. Initially working the ball down the left flank, the visitors expertly worked the ball back across the length of the field - through the hands of Messrs Steenson, Dollman, Shoemark and Johnson - the latter of whom was able to send the Exeter prop over for his second try of the campaign.

Although Exeter's fortunes had been revived somewhat, Bath were still full of energy and vigour and were themselves keen to attack at every opportunity. Former Rugby League convert Eastmond was a constant menace coming in off the right flank, whilst up front the marauding Louw continued to taking some stopping in the loose.

And as half time approached, Bath added to their tally when Donald fired over a routine penalty from the edge of the 22 after the Chiefs were pulled up for not releasing at the tackle.

HALF TIME    BATH 15        EXETER CHIEFS 5

The Chiefs needed a response on the resumption and they set the early tone as first Camacho raided out of defence to good effect, before Shoemark, Matt Jess and Carl Rimmer all went close with a series of close-in drives.

The pressure was certainly mounting and whereas it was the Chiefs who were forced to defend in the first half, now it was the turn of the home side who eventually buckled, gifting Steenson the opportunity to at last break his duck.

Baxter threw on fresh muscle in a bid to add extra impetus to the fightback, but just as things were beginning to look good for the Devonians, they promptly conceded a third score.

With the impressive Shoemark down receiving medical attention in centre field, Bath ruthlessly exposed a weak turnover midway inside the Exeter half to work the ball wide to the right where the onrushing Louw was able to collect and plough his way over last defender Dollman to dot down in the corner.

Up against it, the Chiefs now had it all to do.

Defiantly they dug deep and in replacement Aly Muldowney they had a man willing to lead their fightback charge. Others too upped the tempo and slowly Bath began to feel the heat.

Initially the home side did well to repel the Exeter attacking force, but their actions were - at times - crude and cynical. And when centre Hipkiss was banished to the cooler for a blatant professional foul just inches from his own line, the visitors looked to pounce.

Battering away with wave upon wave of attacks, the Chiefs finally worked the opening for Mieres to crash over for a try, which he duly converted to leave just five points between the two sides.

Now with their tails wagging, the Chiefs had the hammer down as they looked to cut through the Bath jugular. Muldowney, Jess and Ian Whitten all threatened, before the former was pulled up for holding on close to the home whitewash.

Bath duly looked to relieve the pressure but as the intended clearance headed into touch, Hipkiss rose from his seat in the bin to prevent Dollman from taking a quick line-out. With the visitors enraged, referee Barnes reached for his pocket, brandishing a second yellow card and then the obligatory red.

It was a needless act from the England international and left his coaching staff shaking their heads as the game entered into its final throws.

But just as the Chiefs looked to pounce once more, an off-the-ball tug from Chris Whitehead on Nathan Catt presented Bath with the get-out clause they craved. The hooker's act gifted Donald a penalty shot, which he duly dispatched to put his side eight points clear with just over a minute remaining.

Even then both sides weren't finished in their quest for reward. First the Chiefs raided down field - only to give away a penalty - then Bath followed suit as they searched for a fourth score and with it an additional bonus point.

When they failed in their quest, back roared the Chiefs again as Johnson and Jess looked to salvage something in the dying embers. Again the endeavour was there in spades, but sadly the execution was missing.

Bath: N Abendanon; K Eastmond, D Hipkiss, B Williams, T Biggs; S Donald, M Claassens; P James, L Mears (B Sharman 73), D Wilson (A Perenise 58); D Day (S Hooper 56), D  Attwood; C Fearns (W Skuse 11-20, 26), F Louw (capt, N Catt 68), B Skirving. Replacements: M McMillan, H Agulla.

Tries - Williams, Eastmond, Louw; Conversion - Donald; Penalties - Donald (2)

Yellow Card: Hipkiss

Red Card: Hipkiss

Chiefs: L Arscott (I Whitten 54); G Camacho, P Dollman, J Shoemark, M Jess; G Steenson (I Mieres 54), H Thomas (K Barrett 73); B Sturgess (B Moon 64), S Alcott (C Whitehead 52), C Rimmer; D Mumm, J Hanks (A Muldowney 54); T Johnson, J Scaysbrook, R Baxter (capt). Replacements: C Budgen,  D Ewers.

Tries - Sturgess, Mieres; Conversion - Mieres; Penalty - Steenson

Referee: W Barnes

Touch Judges: P Dix & R Goodliffe

4th Official: D Rose

Attendance: 12,200

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Worcester Warriors (H), Aviva Premiership, Saturday, November 3 (3pm)