Bath secured a dramatic 40-34 triumph over 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 spectacle that kept supporters on the edge of their seats from the first whistle to the final seconds. The first half saw Bath seize an early advantage, thanks to a series of incisive plays and individual brilliance.
The opening try arrived when Cam Redpath intercepted a pass from Exeter’s scrum‑half and sprinted 50 metres to the try‑line, setting the tone for the home side. This was quickly followed by a solo effort from Bernard van der Linde, who exploited a gap in the visitors’ defensive line to score under the posts.
Both scores were expertly converted by Finn Russell, giving Bath a comfortable 14‑0 lead at the conclusion of the opening quarter. Exeter, however, were not content to linger in the shadow of the scoreboard.
Immanuel Feyi‑Waboso, the young winger who has been a revelation this season, broke through the Bath defense after evading a tackle from Ollie Lawrence. He powered past two additional cover defenders before finding scrum‑half Stephen Varney waiting to finish the move, narrowing the gap and restoring belief to the Chiefs.
Bath’s third try came from a fortuitous bounce at the halfway line. Van der Linde collected the ball, linked with Ewan Richards, and together they created space for Dan du Preez to charge over from close range. A mishandled kickoff allowed Exeter’s hooker Jack Yeandle to launch a swift line‑out drive, resulting in a try that kept the visitors within striking distance.
Just before the halftime whistle, Bath intensified their pressure. Finn Russell feigned a pass, darted around the defensive line and dived over for a bonus‑point try, then added the conversion himself.
The half‑time score read 26‑10 in favour of Bath, a lead that looked significant but not insurmountable. The second half began with Exeter firing on all cylinders. Scrum‑half Stephen Varney, back from his earlier yellow card, orchestrated a quick succession of attacks.
First, centre Josh Iosefa‑Scott crashed over from a short distance, followed moments later by Feyi‑Waboso, who brushed aside two would‑be tacklers to touch down his second try of the day. Henry Slade, Exeter’s reliable kicker, converted both, trimming Bath’s lead to a mere two points at 30‑28.
Momentum swung dramatically when former Bath player Will Butt, now wearing the Chiefs’ colours, broke through the home defence and delivered a clean ball to Feyi‑Waboso for his second try of the match. This gave Exeter their first lead of the game, 33‑31, and sparked a surge of confidence among the visitors. Bath responded swiftly, however. A penalty try was awarded after Varney was yellow‑carded for a deliberate knock‑on that prevented a probable try.
In his absence, centre Ted Hill powered over the line, restoring Bath’s lead to 38‑33. The decision to send Varney off proved pivotal, as his absence disrupted Exeter’s rhythm at a crucial juncture. The final minutes were a tense exchange of kicks and defensive stands.
Slade missed a crucial penalty attempt, handing the goal‑kicking duties to Bath’s Harvey Skinner. Skinner, composed under pressure, slotted a late penalty that extended Bath’s margin and secured the bonus points on offer for scoring four or more tries. The match concluded with a 40‑34 victory for Bath, a result that not only earned them three points for the win but also an additional two for the bonus, cementing their position at the top of the Premiership table.
Key performances throughout the encounter included Finn Russell’s flawless conversion record, Ted Hill’s decisive try in the second half, and Immanuel Feyi‑Waboso’s two‑try haul for Exeter, which highlighted his growing reputation as one of the league’s most exciting attacking talents. For Bath, the combination of solid defence, opportunistic attacking play, and disciplined goal‑kicking proved the formula for success in a match that will be remembered for its relentless pace, high try count, and the dramatic swing of fortunes that kept fans enthralled until the final whistle.