Bath secured a thrilling 40-34 win over the Exeter Chiefs in a high‑octane West Country derby at the Recreation Ground, propelling them to the summit of the Gallagher Premiership table. The match unfolded as an 11‑try extravaganza, with both sides exchanging blows throughout the 80 minutes. The first half saw Bath dominate early, establishing a 26-10 lead at the break. Cam Redpath opened the scoring by intercepting a pass from Exeter’s scrum‑half and sprinting 50 metres to the try‑line.
He was quickly followed by a brilliant individual effort from Bernard van der Linde, who slipped through a gap in the Chiefs’ defensive line to touch down. Finn Russell added a penalty try and then converted it, while also converting van der Linde’s effort, giving Bath a comfortable 14-0 advantage after just the opening quarter of play. Exeter, desperate for a response, turned to the power of Immanuel Feyi‑Waboso.
The young winger first broke through the Bath defence by sidestepping a tackle from Ollie Lawrence, then, after a quick recycle, surged past two more cover defenders to score, with Stephen Varney providing the conversion. Jack Yeandle, Josh Iosefa‑Scott and Varney himself also crossed the line for the Chiefs, while Henry Slade added three successful conversions and Harvey Skinner contributed a late penalty. Bath’s third try came from a fortuitous bounce at the halfway line. Van der Linde and Ewan Richards pounced, setting up Dan du Preez for a short‑range effort.
A mishandled kickoff allowed Exeter’s Yeandle to launch a line‑out drive that kept his side within touching distance. As the half‑time whistle approached, Bath intensified their pressure, culminating in Finn Russell’s dummy‑run try that secured the coveted bonus‑point, pushing the half‑time score to 26-10 in Bath’s favour. The second half began with Exeter firing back.
Iosefa‑Scott crashed over from close range, followed shortly by a spectacular try from Feyi‑Waboso, who brushed aside two would‑be tacklers to score his second of the day. Slade converted both, narrowing the deficit to just two points and reigniting the contest.
Former Bath player Will Butt then broke through the home side’s line, delivering a clean ball for Feyi‑Waboso to finish his second try, giving the Chiefs their first lead of the match. Bath’s response was swift. A penalty try was awarded after Varney was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on.
In Varney’s absence, Ted Hill powered over the line, restoring Bath’s lead. The match continued to swing like a pendulum, with both teams trading scores and momentum. Slade missed a crucial penalty, prompting Bath’s kicker Harvey Skinner to take over duties; his successful kicks earned the Chiefs two valuable bonus points despite the loss.
The final minutes were a frantic scramble. Bath’s relentless attack, combined with disciplined defence, kept Exeter at bay, while Exeter’s resilience saw them claw back points whenever they fell behind. In the end, Bath’s composure under pressure, efficient goal‑kicking, and the ability to capitalize on turnovers proved decisive. Their 40-34 triumph not only secured the derby win but also catapulted them to the top of the Premiership standings, showcasing their ambition and depth as genuine title contenders.
Key performers for Bath included Cam Redpath, whose early interception set the tone; Bernard van der Linde, whose individual brilliance broke the line; Dan du Preez, who added a crucial close‑range try; Ted Hill, who seized the opportunity created by Varney’s sin‑bin; and Finn Russell, who contributed a penalty try, four conversions and a vital dummy‑run try. For Exeter, Immanuel Feyi‑Waboso was the standout, crossing the line twice and constantly threatening the Bath defence. Stephen Varney’s early contributions were offset by his disciplinary lapse, which proved costly.
Henry Slade’s reliable boot kept the Chiefs in the game, while Harvey Skinner’s late penalty underscored Exeter’s fighting spirit. Overall, the encounter was a showcase of attacking rugby, with 11 tries highlighting the willingness of both sides to play expansive, high‑risk football. Bath’s ability to recover from Exeter’s brief lead and to maintain composure after a yellow card demonstrated their growing maturity as a squad. The win not only earned them three points but also a crucial bonus‑point, solidifying their position at the summit of the Gallagher Premiership and setting the tone for the remainder of the season.