Constant attack is the winning factor
Exeter Chiefs squeezed past Bath in a gritty game at The Rec as the Blue, Black and White remain winless in the Gallagher Premiership.
Stuart Hooper’s men performed admirably in defence, but ultimately the attacking pressure of Exeter proved too much to bear as they ultimately succumbed to a Sam Simmonds try in the closing minutes. The result sees Rob Baxter’s side extend their unbeaten record away from home in the Gallagher Premiership this season.
The home side were fast out of the blocks, instantly gaining the lead through the boot of Orlando Bailey, before Henry Slade would put the sides level on behalf of Exeter.
Bath grabbed the first try of the game, as the pack’s dominance of the line outs paid off as a driving maul saw Miles Reid touch down.
Another Slade penalty seemed to spur Exeter on as they began looking far more comfortable for the final ten minutes of the opening half, but the Blue, Black and Whites headed into the dressing room with a four-point lead nonetheless.
Whatever Rob Baxter said at halftime worked, as Exeter’s extensive phase play saw Josh Iosefa-scott charge over the try line from short range, giving the visitors the lead.
Bath would steady the ship, as a pair of Orlando Bailey penalties gave the side the lead heading into the final 15 minutes.
Chiefs laid on the attacking pressure for the remaining minutes, with the hosts dogged defensive efforts making things very tricky for the charging visitors.
Exeter would turn down the opportunity to put the game level by taking a five-metre scrum, with their gamble paying off as Sam Simmonds broke free of the scrum to charge over the line and put his side ahead.
Bath’s efforts to respond with three minutes remaining on the clock were admirable, but after spilling the ball and conceding a penalty, the game was beyond reach as a Joe Simmonds penalty put the cherry on the cake.
The Blue, Black and Whites will feel incredibly hard done by with that result as they showed marked improvements in defence, at scrum time and in the line out, but a lack of attacking opportunities in the second half proved to be their downfall.
Exeter meanwhile showed persistence in attack, as they were not downtrodden by what seemed to be an impregnable Bath defence and ultimately did what they had to do to head back home with the points in the bag.
Rob Baxter’s side will now look ahead to a visit from Saracens to Sandy Park, while Bath will continue their search for an elusive win as they travel to Franklin Gardens for a clash with Northampton Saints.