Exeter Chiefs Take Forward Step Despite Loss
Exeter Chiefs endured a tricky return to league action but there were plenty of positives to take away from a seventh successive Gallagher Premiership Rugby loss.
The Chiefs had taken three straight wins in the Premiership Rugby Cup to boost confidence going back into league action, although a trip to Bath was far from an easy return as the home side looked to return to the top of the table.
Bath duly took the lead after just six minutes of the game when Guy Pepper was able to dive through the defensive line to ground the ball for the opening try, which was converted by Finn Russell.
Exeter responded however to score though Jacques Vermuelen and despite Henry Slade being unable to add the extras when the conversion was missed, he kicked a penalty on the stroke of half-time to put the visitors into a hard-earned lead.
Pepper added his second try shortly after the break when an kick from Russell was charged down and Bath were able to break forwards but the game remained in the balance as Exeter looked to take advantage of Bath being down a man after Ben Spencer was sent to the sinbin.
However, when Spencer returned to the field, Bath were able to extend their lead when Niall Annett added a third try for the home side, with Greg Fisilau’s effort for the visitors coming too late to affect the result.
It did however secure a losing bonus point for the Chiefs who now kick off their Investec Champions Cup programme with a trip to Durban to face off against last season’s Challenge Cup winners Hollywoodbets Sharks.