Bath withstand Exeter comeback to win 40-34 at the Rec

Bath beat Exeter Chiefs 40-34 at the Rec on Friday, recovering from a second-half reversal to secure their second victory in as many matches this Prem season. Ultimate Rugby reported that the hosts collected a try-scoring bonus point, while Exeter left with two points despite losing. The result gave Bath a different ending to a contest that had begun to resemble their semi-final defeat by the same opponents last season.

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Bath had already secured their attacking bonus point before half-time, but their advantage did not survive Exeter's response after the interval. As Ultimate Rugby noted, the hosts went into the break with the same lead they had held in that semi-final. Exeter again moved in front, only for Bath to regain control this time and preserve their unbeaten start.

According to BBC Sport's match report, Cameron Redpath opened Bath's scoring by intercepting a Harvey Skinner pass, before Bernard van der Linde found space to add another try. Dan du Preez then crossed from close range. Stephen Varney and Jack Yeandle replied for Exeter, but Finn Russell's try and conversion sent Bath into the interval 26-10 ahead.

Exeter's recovery featured a try from Josh Iosefa-Scott and two from Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. BBC Sport reported that the visitors transformed their 16-point deficit into a five-point lead within 15 minutes of the restart. Feyi-Waboso's second score followed a break by former Bath centre Will Butt, putting the hosts under pressure to respond to three unanswered tries.

The decisive change came when Varney deliberately knocked on a pass intended for Joe Cokanasiga. Bath received a penalty try and the Exeter scrum-half was shown a yellow card. With the numerical advantage, replacement Ted Hill crossed, and Russell's conversion extended the margin. Skinner's late penalty subsequently brought Exeter within seven points and secured their losing bonus point.

Bath finished with six tries, including the penalty award, to Exeter's five. Feyi-Waboso was the only player to score twice, but his contribution was not enough to deliver an away victory. For Bath, the comeback after Exeter's surge ensured that their strong first half translated into a win; for the visitors, two bonus points provided a return from another narrow contest between the clubs.