Chiefs relieved as entertainers fail to show up

BASED on last night’s evidence, 2022 is unlikely to be the year of the Bears. This was a match Bristol never looked close to winning. Not until the final play, at least, but rather than go for glory they kicked the ball into touch and settled for a losing bonus point.

Twelve months ago, Semi Radradra would have been screaming for the ball, ready to go for broke and attack from his own 22 but times have changed — two months without a victory and 12th in the table. Please can we have the great entertainers back?

The scoreline didn’t turn out too badly but some of the first-half statistics were telling. Zero phases in Exeter’s 22, lost lineouts and just 25 per cent of the early possession. Bristol have the ingredients of title challengers but right now they look undercooked.

‘There was a lot of messy stuff,’ said Bristol coach Pat Lam. ‘We’re not far away. We’ve got to keep knocking on the door. These boys won’t give up.’

Nor was this a premium Exeter performance. A record crowd, 14,100, packed in with the newly expanded East Stand. The hosts too have been off their best this season but yesterday they at least rediscovered their multi-phase game. Dave Ewers and Jonny Hill pumped their legs like pistons to inject slow poison into the Bristol defence.

With 12 minutes on the clock, after an early 18-phase attack, Exeter launched from a lineout. Jack Nowell chipped the ball through for Stuart Hogg, who offloaded to Tom O’Flaherty to score the try.

The sight of Callum Sheedy missing an early penalty (before slotting his second attempt), Radradra fumbling in his own 22 and Charles Piutau limping off suggested Exeter would run away. They extended their lead in the 31st minute, building phases from a lineout before Hill crashed over, but had just two tries to show for their dominance.

‘I think the players got nervous,’ said Exeter coach Ali Hepher. ‘We had plenty of opportunities, especially at the end of the first-half and start of the second. We tightened up and made a few errors.’

The second half loosened up. When Bristol did eventually venture into Exeter territory, they were turned over. Against the odds, with 70 minutes on the clock, Bristol were handed a golden ticket. Hogg was caught running around in circles and Joe Simmonds’ pass was intercepted by Henry Purdy, who ran from halfway for a breakaway try.

Hogg made amends with a 75thminute try but Sheedy’s late penalty made it a six-point game with the restart to come. Bristol had one last roll of the dice and their supporters held their breath but out came an exhalation of frustration as Andy Uren kicked the ball out of play.