The sizzling Simmonds keep Chiefs steaming on
SAM Simmonds demonstrated his predatory try-scoring skills to inspire Chiefs to a resounding six-try victory over woeful Bath.
And while the powerful young No.8 raised the noise level in his bid to force Eddie Jones to re-open the England pack door to him, his brother Joe orchestrated the backs like a maestro and teammate Tom O’Flaherty also lit up the match with a stunning individual score.
Head coach Ali Hepher enthused: “It was another excellent performance from all the guys.
“They have really hit the ground running. It was important to move on from last month when we won the trophy and continue in the same vein. So far the players have performed to a very high level.”
Simmonds made it five tries in two opening games to the new season as his double heaped more misery on Bath who they thrashed 35-6 in the play-off semifinals last month before going on to lift the title.
Chiefs have now amassed 73 points and conceded just six and no tries in two games.
Rob Baxter’s men have burst out of the blocks akin to Usain Bolt in the defence of their Premiership title, and they left Bath trailing in their wake with Simmonds leading the charge as he did with a hat-trick in the 33-3 win at Harlequins eight days earlier.
Chiefs’ pack showed their early muscle and dominance by pushing their rivals back over their own line and it was no surprise to see Simmonds eventually rise from the turf to claim the try from a mass of bodies.
Rhys Priestland responded with a penalty when Bath’s first attack on the Chiefs line saw the home side punished at a ruck in front of their own posts but it failed to galvanise the visitors.
Simmonds’ second try ten minutes later came from a lineout and rolling maul move which took a while to gain momentum before Bath were thrust over their line and the No.8 again took the plaudits after referee Ridley consulted the TMO.
Again sibling Joe added the extras – and he was repeating the act for a third try moments later.
This third try was a sublime piece of expertise from O’Flaherty.
The wing showed Diego Maradona-like footballing skills to produce the perfect volley with the outside of his right boot as Joe Simmonds’ high cross-field kick dropped in front of him.
The wing then out-paced Bath rival Ruaridh McConnachie to dive fulllength onto the ball for a fabulous try.
Chiefs grabbed the bonus point try when, after a series of reset scrums camped on the Bath line, the visitors collapsed one too many and referee Ridley ran out of patience.
He awarded a penalty try and sent lock Josh McNally to the sin bin.
Exeter continued to dominate and another scrum close to the line finished with replacement scrumhalf Sam Hidalgo-Clyne celebrating the fifth try.
There was still time for a sixth as a sweeping Chiefs move saw Ollie Devoto send Ian Whitten over the line.
Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper said: “The guys will be hurting but I back them to turn things round and get it right next time. We need to.”