Match report: Bath 33 – 26 Chiefs

A try at the death snatched a draw from Exeter Chiefs’ grasp as reigning champions Bath Rugby took the spoils at the Recreation Ground.

Having conceded four tries in the first half-hour, Chiefs staged a comeback which resulted in them drawing level with less than 10 minutes left to play before a staggering final phase play saw Bath force the result back in their favour.

It was clear from the outset that the afternoon was going to be a tough one for Rob Baxter’s men. Three minutes in, winger Campbell Ridl was shown a 20-minute red card for a tackle in the air on Henry Arundell. The Bath man unfortunately landed on his chin, meaning the TMO review was quick as the medics checked him over.

Bath worked quickly and efficiently with their resulting possession. Drawing defenders in on the Exeter line, a quick switch to a long feed allowed Beno Obano to crash over before Finn Russell cleanly slotted the conversion.

Number eight Alfie Barbeary worked well to wriggle out of a potential tackle to score a second for Bath after Russell fooled the defence, chipping a ball in-field when he had looked primed to go for touch.

When Santi Carreras ran in a third a minute later, there were stern words had by Chiefs. Russell’s third from three at the tee put Bath well ahead. Their lead was only strengthened when Ollie Lawrence cantered in for the bonus-point securing try. Russell missed the conversion, but the Bath men still had a stranglehold on the game.

With eight minutes left in the half, Chiefs began to chip into Bath’s lead. A powerful driving maul, which was strengthened by the back-line filing in, enabled Joseph Dweba to force his way over the line. Henry Slade cleanly struck the conversion five metres in from the touchline.

Before the half drew to a close, Chiefs had a second when Olly Woodburn scored in the opposite corner to Dweba. The winger plucked a long spiral from Harvey Skinner out of the air at his bootstraps, kept his balance, and ran in the try. With Slade’s conversion, Bath’s half-time lead was cut to 12 points.

Half-time: Bath 26 – 14 Chiefs

Bath captain Ben Spencer thought he had sniped through for his side’s fifth on 50 minutes, but a TMO review showed a crossing infringement and the try was chalked off. Unfortunately, Varney was injured in the build-up and had to be helped from the field.

Multiple advantages a metre from the Bath line had Chiefs doggedly going for the short, repeated phases. The forwards battered on the door long enough for tired Bath bodies to leave space for Greg Fisilau to force his frame through the line to ground the ball.

Slade’s conversion attempt pulled wide, meaning Chiefs needed a converted try to draw level.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso benefited from the unyielding work of the forwards as he scored the bonus-point try with seven minutes left to play. The grunt work had been done by the pack before Charlie Chapman whipped ball out to the back-line. Feyi-Waboso took the final pass, keeping the feet moving and stretching an arm out in contact to claim the points.

The Rec held a collective breath as Slade kicked from tight to the touchline. With the ball splitting the uprights, the game was tied.

Heartbreakingly for Chiefs, a near 40-phase final drive to the line in the Exeter 22 was successful for Bath. With the clock in the red, replacement Arthur Green crossed beneath the posts. Russell’s conversion was the last act of the game, securing his side a 33-26 win.

Despite Bath being named victors, the close result gives Chiefs’ two important bonus points and ensures they will spend another week in the top four of the table.

Full-time: Bath 33 – 26 Chiefs

Bath: S Carreras; H Arundell (Hennessey 7’, Arundell 18’), O Lawrence, C Redpath, W Muir (Hennessey 57’); F Russell, B Spencer (c); B Obano (Kirk 64’), T Dunn (Tuipulotu 57’), V Sela (Du Toit 57’), E Opoku-Gyamfi (Roux 48’), R Molony, T Hill, G Pepper (Underhill 57’), A Barbeary (Green 57’).

Unused replacements: Carr-Smith

Tries: Obano, Barbeary, Carreras, Lawrence, Green Conversions: Russell 4

Chiefs: O Woodburn; I Feyi-Waboso, H Slade, W Rigg, C Ridl (John 23’); H Skinner, S Varney (Chapman 48’); S Sio (Goodrick-Clarke 54’), J Dweba (Yeandle 54’), B Tchumbadze (J Roots 54’), D Jenkins (c), A Zambonin (Tuima 68’), T Hooper, E Roots (James 63’), G Fisilau.

Unused replacements: Haydon-Wood

Tries: Dweba, Woodburn, Fisilau, Feyi-Waboso Conversions: Slade 3

Red card: Campbell Ridl

Referee: Luke Pearce