Exeter Chiefs Slip To Away Defeat
Exeter Chiefs were unable to make it two away wins in a row after the Vertu Motors-backed slide slipped to defeat in the latest round of Gallagher Premiership fixtures.
Fresh from a fine win at Newcastle – a first away success in more than a year – the Chiefs headed for Bath eager to build on a run of four victories in five matches but would instead find themselves on the wrong end of a 41-24 defeat at The Rec.
Tries from Alfie Barbeary and Cameron Redpath gave Bath an early lead before Henry Slade went over for Exeter – adding the conversion and then a further penalty to leave the half-time score at 12-10 to the hosts.
Ben Spencer and a penalty from Finn Russell allowed Bath to extend the lead out to 20-10 but when Stu Townsend went under the posts and Slade kicked the goal, the gap was reduced down to three points with 20 minutes left on the clock.
The gamed turned when Townsend was sent to the sin bin and Bath took full advantage – with Joe Cokanasiga, Barbeary and Will Butt all scoring in a devastating nine minute spell that put the home team out of sight.
Ehren Painter would score a last gasp third try for the Chiefs but the defeat drops Exeter down to sixth in the table ahead of the start of the European Champions Cup next weekend – with a trip to France to play Toulon.