BEARS GO TOP AS RANDALL SHOWS CLASS
Exeter 7 Bristol 20
PAT LAM insisted that scrum-half Harry Randall is ready for Test rugby after he led Bears to the top by downing the Premiership title-holders.
This was the biggest home league defeat for Exeter in four seasons and underlined there is plenty of competition in the top flight – even with no Saracens.
Fijian superstar Semi Radradra scored the game-breaking try after 69 minutes thanks to pressure from the fat boys up front and a neat flick pass from fellow centre Piers O’Conor.
Eddie Jones was in the crowd and saw a storming performance from Bears flanker Ben Earl who must be close to an England start after eight caps off the bench.
But Randall, 23, who is eligible for England AND Wales stole the show with a try and a sparkling all-court game.
Director of rugby Lam said: “He has got the skill-set to play at the next level if he keeps working.
“I can’t control Eddie’s decisions but all I know is Harry’s gone from strength to strength. Pound for pound he is the toughest rugby player around, he’s only 70kg, but it’s not the size it’s what you do with that.
“He understands the Bears way and the way I want him to play – he does it brilliantly. He pops up in the right places. I believe a lot of these guys are international class if they keep on working. All our big players stood up.”
Exeter had a weakened team when they were humbled by Wasps 34-5 last weekend and boss Rob Baxter said all week they had to put a marker down here.
It didn’t happen. Baxter said: “I made excuses for the players last week and I thought that was the right thing to do as they’d hit a flat spot.
“I hoped they’d be better after a slap in the face and I thought we were, but we did not capitalise on our opportunities. Bristol had a lot more composure.”
The Bears got in the first blow after Exeter conceded seven penalties in the first 15 minutes. Skipper Steven Luatua won a line-out, transferred the ball to Nathan Hughes and Randall came up smiling.
But the scrums were a mess with referee Karl Dickson threatening to bin props from both sides as they continually needed resetting. He lost patience on the half-hour and yellow-carded Bristol’s Jake Woolmore and Exeter’s Harry Williams.
The Chiefs levelled it just before the break when lock Jonny Hill went over from close in, after No.8 Sam Simmonds had gone near.
Bristol could have had another man binned as wing Siva Naulago knocked on deliberately. Then came Radradra’s score and Callum
Sheedy’s boot finished it.