Bath hold off Exeter comeback to win 40-34 and maintain perfect start

Bath beat Exeter Chiefs 40-34 to secure a second successive bonus-point victory at the start of the Prem season, recovering after the visitors briefly overturned a commanding half-time lead. BBC Sport reported that the teams shared 11 tries, with Bath finishing on a maximum 10 points from their opening two matches and Exeter collecting two bonus points despite another defeat.

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The result reversed the outcome of last season’s semi-final at the same venue, when Exeter came back from 16 points behind at the interval to win by one point and end Bath’s title defence. This time, Bath again led 26-10 at the break, but a penalty try and a subsequent score from replacement Ted Hill prevented a repeat of that result.

Cameron Redpath opened Bath’s scoring by intercepting Harvey Skinner’s pass and running in from inside his own half. Scrum-half Bernard van der Linde then exploited a gap for the hosts’ second try. Exeter responded through Stephen Varney, before Dan du Preez restored Bath’s momentum following an attack involving van der Linde and Ewan Richards.

Jack Yeandle scored Exeter’s second try from a line-out maul, but Finn Russell ensured Bath reached the interval with their four-try bonus point already secured. The fly-half found space, beat the defence and converted his own score to establish the same half-time advantage Bath had held in the semi-final.

Exeter’s response brought three tries within 15 minutes of the restart. Josh Iosefa-Scott crossed after a powerful carry by Kane James, before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored twice. His first followed a wide pass from Skinner; his second came in support of a midfield break by former Bath centre Will Butt. Exeter moved five points ahead.

Bath regained control when Varney deliberately knocked on a pass intended for Joe Cokanasiga, conceding a penalty try and receiving a yellow card. Hill then powered over against the depleted defence, with Russell’s conversion extending the advantage. Skinner’s 79th-minute penalty brought Exeter within seven points, adding a losing bonus point to their try bonus.

Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset, Bath director of rugby Johann van Graan credited the replacements with helping turn the match back in his side’s favour. Exeter counterpart Rob Baxter told BBC Radio Devon he had seen encouraging fighting qualities after the previous week’s defeat by Gloucester, despite the Chiefs remaining without a win.