Lam is expecting an apology again

Exeter maintain unbeaten record with controversial last-gasp victory over Bristol

BRISTOL Bears head coach Pat Lam was far from happy with the “huge call” to award Exeter Chiefs a match-winning penalty try in the final minute and expects to receive an apology.

The hosts looked on course for a terrific win against the unbeaten Gallagher Premiership leaders as they led 29-24 heading into the dying moments at Ashton Gate.

But, with time almost up, referee Greg Macdonald decided Bristol had sacked a five-metre line-out drive and headed for the posts to give Exeter a crucial 31-29 victory.

Lam said: “The referee told me that ten (Callum Sheedy) and 12 (Will Hurrell) had come in from the side, but, having seen the replays, I don’t see that. The touch judge was shouting ‘Held up’ and, as it was such a huge huge call, the TMO (Television Match Official) should been consulted.

“We will be going through the processes with the RFU referees supremo, Tony Spreadbury, as we’ve already had two apologies this season and I’m pretty sure we’ll get another one.”

Despite being outscored by five tries to two, it was rough justice on promoted Bristol to come away with just a single point from the clash as Exeter picked up the maximum five.

Charles Piutau and Luke Morahan crossed for the hosts with Sheedy converting both and also kicking five penalties. Lam added: “It was a great game, with both sides outstanding and playing with real physicality, but it’s not great that we had the game taken away from us after our best performance of the season. I’m hugely proud of the side, but we now have a short turnaround before Wasps next week.”

IT was so heartbreakingly close, but in the end no cigar for the Bristol Bears as they only picked up a losing bonus point against Exeter at Ashton Gate yesterday.

A controversial late penalty try for Rob Baxter’s visitors preserved the Chiefs’ unbeaten start to the season, but they were made to work for it by Pat Lam’s team.

A maul from a lineout saw the damage done in the 83rd minute of the game.

A penalty on 75 minutes from the unswerving boot of Callum Sheedy, plus tries from Charles Piutau and Luke Morahan, had given the Bears hope, but touchdowns by Moray Low, Tom Lawday, Santiago Cordero and Jack Yeandle, plus the penalty score, gave the visitors the win and the bonus point.

Still, if Lam’s side consistently show this kind of heart, the heartbreaks will soon lessen.

A great first half for the home side was achieved when Sheedy proved faultless from the tee with better to come. Terrific play at the breakdown from Steve Luatua led to an early penalty in front of the sticks for the Bears after Andy Uren had scythed through and eight phases played out, before the Chiefs showed their class by roaring straight up the other end and grabbing a try.

A penalty saw Baxter’s side gain ground and good lineout ball set up Low to plough his way through a mass of bodies to give last year’s Premiership runners-up the lead.

But that woke the Bears from their temporary slumber. A terrific break by Yann Thomas led to another penalty, again kicked by Sheedy, before he fired over his best kick of the day from wide on the touchline.

Another Sheedy penalty saw the lead go to five points before the visitors tied things up as Lawday broke through the home defence and, after a TMO intervention, the score was good, although not the conversion.

That was before the moment of the half. The Bears surged forward and won a penalty close to the Chiefs line. But instead of opting for the setpiece Charles Piutau tapped and went himself. The former Ulster man dived under some four bodies and scratched the line to send the home fans into raptures. And minutes later the full-back was leading the charge down the wing as the hosts looked to cross the whitewash for a second time in quick succession.

After the break, the Bears pushed their lead out further as patient play led to Morahan dotting down in the corner by the Dolman Stand.

The Chiefs again responded when Cordero danced through and scored in the corner, but the missed conversion kept things interesting.

Yeandle crashed over in the corner to further reduce the lead before Sheedy looked to have secured the win. However, referee Greg MacDonald have the last word.