Bath secured a dramatic 40-34 win 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 contest proved a roller‑coaster, featuring eleven tries, numerous lead changes and a decisive disciplinary incident that swung the momentum in Bath’s favour.
The first half began with Bath asserting dominance. Cam Redpath seized an early opportunity, intercepting a pass from Exeter’s Harvey Skinner and sprinting fifty metres to the try‑line, giving the home side an immediate boost.
Shortly after, Bernard van der Linde exploited a gap in the visitors’ defensive line, powering over for his own try. Both scores were expertly converted by Finn Russell, who also added a penalty, allowing Bath to close the opening quarter with a 14‑0 advantage. Exeter, however, were quick to respond.
Immanuel Feyi‑Waboso, the young wing who has been a revelation this season, showcased his pace and footwork by sidestepping a tackle from Bath’s powerful centre Ollie Lawrence. After the ball was recycled, Feyi‑Waboso powered through two additional defenders, with scrum‑half Stephen Varney supporting him to the grounding of the ball. This try marked Exeter’s first points and signalled that the match would be fiercely contested. Bath’s third try came from a fortuitous bounce at the halfway line.
The ball skidded to Van der Linde, who, together with back‑row forward Ewan Richards, created a quick‑strike opportunity for Dan du Preez to dive over from close range. A mishandled kick‑off by Bath allowed Exeter’s hooker Jack Yeandle to retain possession and launch a line‑out drive that resulted in a try, keeping the visitors within touching distance. As the half‑time whistle approached, Bath intensified their pressure.
Finn Russell, demonstrating his versatility, faked a pass and darted over for a bonus‑point try, then slotted the conversion himself. The scoreboard read 26‑10 in Bath’s favour at the break, a lead that appeared comfortable but would soon be tested.
The second half opened with Exeter firing on all cylinders. Scrum‑half Stephen Varney, despite later being penalised, orchestrated a swift attack that saw centre Josh Iosefa‑Scott crash over from a short distance.
Moments later, Feyi‑Waboso, displaying his trademark agility, brushed aside two would‑be tacklers to score his second try of the match. Henry Slade, Exeter’s reliable kicker, converted both efforts, narrowing the gap to just two points and injecting fresh belief into the Chiefs.
The momentum shifted again when former Bath player Will Butt, now wearing Exeter colours, sliced through the home defence, delivering a clean ball to Feyi‑Waboso for an easy second‑half try. This gave the Chiefs their first lead of the game, a psychological edge that they were eager to consolidate.
Bath’s response came swiftly but was marred by a crucial error. In a high‑pressure situation near the try‑line, Stephen Varney deliberately knocked the ball on, an infringement that earned him a yellow card. The referee awarded a penalty try to Bath, and with Varney temporarily off the field, the team turned to Ted Hill.
Hill, known for his powerful running, barged his way over the line to make the score 33‑31 in Bath’s favour. The dismissal of Varney proved pivotal, as Exeter lost a key play‑maker for the remainder of the match. The final minutes were a tense affair. Exeter’s Henry Slade missed a relatively straightforward penalty, a miss that could have restored parity.
Bath’s designated kicker, Harvey Skinner, stepped up and, with composure, slotted a late penalty that extended Bath’s lead and secured the bonus‑point try. When the final whistle blew, Bath emerged victorious with a 40‑34 scoreline, earning them the coveted top spot on the Premiership table.
The win was a testament to their attacking depth – with tries from Redpath, van der Linde, du Preez, Hill and Russell – and their resilience under pressure. Exeter, despite the loss, demonstrated considerable fighting spirit, highlighted by Feyi‑Waboso’s two tries and the contributions of Yeandle, Iosefa‑Scott and Varney. Key takeaways from the encounter include Bath’s ability to convert turnovers into points, Finn Russell’s dual role as try‑scorer and reliable goal‑kicker, and the impact of discipline on the outcome, exemplified by Varney’s yellow card.
For Exeter, the performance underscored the emerging talent of Feyi‑Waboso and the importance of maintaining composure in high‑stakes moments. Both teams will take valuable lessons from this thrilling derby as the season progresses, with Bath now looking to consolidate their position at the summit and Exeter aiming to bounce back from a hard‑fought defeat.