In an electrifying Gallagher Premiership encounter, Bath Rugby displayed incredible resilience and clinical finishing to overcome Exeter Chiefs 33-26 at the Recreation Ground. The match reached fever pitch as Bath executed a gruelling 38-phase attack culminating in Arthur Green’s decisive try in the final moments, silencing Exeter’s hopes and thrilling the home crowd.
Bath surged to an early 26-0 advantage after just 20 minutes, capitalising on a 20-minute red card shown to Exeter’s Campbell Ridl for a dangerous tackle on Henry Arundell, which left the Chiefs a man down. Taking full advantage, Bath unleashed an intense attacking display, scoring four tries in the opening quarter.
Prop Beno Obano powered over first following a dominant line-out drive involving key players Tom Dunn, debutant lock Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, and Alfie Barbeary. Barbeary then showcased his agility and strength with a trademark tapped penalty try. Finn Russell’s accurate boot conversions kept Bath firmly in control. The momentum continued as Santi Carreras exploited slick passing movements to add a third try, with Louis Hennessey providing support during Arundell’s brief HIA.
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Ollie Lawrence’s close-range finish after clever blindside play extended Bath’s lead, despite Russell missing the conversion. Bath had secured the fastest attacking bonus point of the season and dictated proceedings with a commanding 26-0 scoreboard lead.
Restored to full strength, Exeter mounted a spirited comeback. Veteran Henry Slade utilised tactical kicks to gain territory and exploit Bath’s penalties. Hooker Joseph Dweba surged over from a catch-and-drive, closely followed by Olly Woodburn’s opportunistic try, both successfully converted by Slade to narrow the gap to 26-14.
Bath had a potential fifth try ruled out due to an accidental obstruction, allowing Exeter to build momentum. The Chiefs pressured Bath’s defence relentlessly, culminating in Greg Fisilau powering over in the 67th minute, though Slade’s conversion fell short. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s deft score in the corner, converted by Slade, levelled the contest and intensified the tension.
With emotions running high, Bath demonstrated remarkable poise in the final stages. A sustained attack saw Carreras stopped just shy of the line, but Green was perfectly positioned to crash over for the winning try under the posts, with Russell’s conversion sealing the dramatic 33-26 victory to the delight of the Recreation Ground crowd.
Lineups:
Bath Rugby:
15 Santi Carreras, 14 Henry Arundell, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Will Muir, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben Spencer (c), 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Vilikesa Sela, 4 Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, 5 Ross Molony, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Alfie Barbeary
Replacements: Kepu Tuipulotu, Scott Kirk, Thomas du Toit, Quinn Roux, Sam Underhill, Tom Carr-Smith, Louie Hennessey, Arthur Green
Exeter Chiefs:
15 Olly Woodburn, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Will Rigg, 11 Campbell Ridl, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stephen Varney, 1 Scott Sio, 2 Joseph Dweba, 3 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 5 Andrea Zambonin, 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Ethan Roots, 8 Greg Fisilau
Replacements: Jack Yeandle, Will Goodrick-Clarke, Jimmy Roots, Rusi Tuima, Kane James, Charlie Chapman, Will Haydon-Wood, Dan John
Match Officials:
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant Referees: Anthony Woodthorpe, Gareth Holsgrove
TMO: Dean Richards