Exeter Chiefs booked their place in the PREM Rugby Cup semi-finals with a commanding 31-19 victory over Bath Rugby at Sandy Park on Saturday. Bath, the defending champions, now face the pressure of winning their next game against Gloucester at the Recreation Ground to remain in the knockout hunt.
Bath started brightly, taking an early lead when Will Butt cleverly combined with Tom Carr-Smith to score a try, successfully converted by Will Roue for a 7-0 advantage. However, Exeter responded with sustained pressure. Dan John broke through to score, and Olly Woodburn soon added to the tally. John’s second try within ten minutes gave Exeter a strong 19-7 halftime lead.
The Chiefs maintained momentum after the break with a powerful run from Zak Wimbush, extending the lead. Bath attempted a comeback when Sam Winters crossed the line, narrowing the gap to 24-12. Exeter’s Jimmy Roots added another try to stretch the lead to 31-14, though Dan Frost’s late try gave Bath a final score of 31-19.
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The defeat means Bath must overcome Gloucester next week to keep their title defense alive.
Here’s a closer look at Bath’s individual performances, analyzed by rugby writer Sam Jess:
15 Tom de Glanville – 5
Despite recently signing a new contract, de Glanville struggled to contain Exeter’s Paul Brown-Bampoe, who repeatedly slipped past him. His kicking was below par, though he improved with a crucial turnover near his try line.
14 Austin Emens – 6
Emens showed attacking promise, breaking lines effectively, but his defensive positioning often left him exposed wide, especially against Olly Woodburn.
13 Chris Harris – 6
A defensive rock with notable try-saving tackles, Harris was solid at the back but offered limited attacking contributions.
12 Will Butt (captain) – 7
Leading against his future club, Butt was instrumental on both sides of the ball. He forced early turnovers, scored Bath’s opening try, and delivered hard hits in defense.
11 Sam Winters – 5
Coming off the bench, Winters displayed some pace and finish by scoring Bath’s second try but was passive in defense, physically outmatched by Exeter’s Zak Wimbush.
10 Will Roue – 6
Roue showed flashes of creativity but was prone to forcing play, resulting in several handling errors.
9 Tom Carr-Smith – 6
Fresh from signing a new deal, Carr-Smith demonstrated attacking flair around the rucks but lacked consistency in his box kicking.
1 Scott Kirk – 5
A challenging day in the scrum for Kirk, although he contributed reliably in defense without making an impact carrying the ball.
2 Jasper Spandler – 5
Spandler struggled to secure lineout ball but had some defensive highlights.
3 Kieran Verden – 6
A veteran presence, Verden delivered heavy tackles to disrupt Exeter’s rhythm, despite scrum difficulties.
4 Jack Bennett – 6
On debut, Bennett worked hard primarily in defense, providing steady cover.
5 Ewan Richards – 6
Richards’ defense was solid, though marked by a rare handling error, reflecting a generally industrious game.
6 Ethan Staddon – 7
Staddon revived his form with powerful carries and disruptive defense, despite a temporary HIA break, ranking as one of Bath’s standout players.
7 George Timmins – 6
Timmins had some effective runs but was caught out defensively, notably when Dan John scored.
8 Arthur Green – 6
A consistent workhorse in the forwards, Green helped maintain forward momentum, though his opportunities were limited this match.
Replacements:
16 Dan Frost – 7
Improved lineout delivery and marked his impact by scoring a try against his former club.
17 Ioan Emanuel – 6
18 Alfie Griffin – 5
19 James Maloney – 6
20 Kepu Tuipulotu – 6 (showed intent in the backrow but was guilty of handling errors)
21 Ieuan Davies – 6
22 James Linegar – 7
23 Tyler Mason – 6
Bath face a crucial week ahead to keep their cup dream alive after a tough outing at Sandy Park.