BATH SNATCH LATE VICTORY IN NINE-TRY THRILLER WITH CHIEFS
Bath Rugby scored a last-gasp try to secure a thrilling victory over Exeter to go top of the Gallagher PREM table, at least for the time being.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s late try had brought the visitors level after they came back from 26-0 down, but Arthur Green bundled over with the last play of the match to secure maximum points.
Exeter had put themselves on the back foot after just three minutes, with Campbell Ridl receiving a 20-minute red card for tackling Henry Arundell in the air.
Bath wasted no time making the most of the extra player, with Ben Obano crossing next to the posts for the first try of the match.
The hosts had won a penalty following a brilliant Finn Russell kick and then capitalised on a sustained period of pressure.
The reigning champions then scored two tries in as many minutes to gain complete control and leave Exeter in tatters.
Alfie Barbeary added the second, powering over after yet another sustained period of pressure that was started by Russell.
Santi Carreras made it three tries after 14 minutes with his first try for Bath, collecting Louie Hennessey’s pass, after the temporary replacement produced a brilliant break.
Watch: Carreras finishes off sublime move as Bath score three tries in seven minutes
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ollie Lawrence secured the bonus point after just 20 minutes; the quickest any side has scored four tries this campaign.
Ben Spencer picked up the ball off the back of a powerful maul and played it out to Lawrence, who walked over the line on his 50th Bath appearance.
Exeter fought back at the end of the first half, scoring twice in four minutes to ensure they stayed in the match.
Joseph Dweba dived over after a brilliant maul for Exeter’s first, before a flying Olly Woodburn latched on to Henry Slade’s pass to score in the corner.
Bath thought they had a fifth try at the start of the second half through Spencer, but it was disallowed for obstruction following a TMO review.
The second half remained scrappy throughout, but Exeter brought themselves within a score of Bath with around ten minutes to go, thanks to Greg Fisilau’s try.
The visitors pushed Bath’s defence back gradually and Fisilau leapt over for his side’s third of the night.
Feyi-Waboso then finished off a brilliant move started by Fisilau, before Slade converted to bring the scores level with just minutes to play.
However, Bath were not done and showed brilliant character, with Green bundling over underneath the posts to score his side's fifth try and snatch victory.
The hosts now face a difficult trip to Gloucester next time out, while Exeter will look to bounce back when they host Bristol Bears.
Image credit: Getty Images
17:01
17:01
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"I think it is relief more than anything, we had a great start, but we nodded off and let them back into the game. They are a class team and they came back strongly. We stuck to our stuff and got it in the end.
"I just do what I am told to be honest. We can only stick to our game plan and what we have to do.
"I think we back ourselves, we will work hard and make things work. We will keep on working until it's done. Last week hurt the lads, we are not used to losing and we wanted to right some wrongs," said Alfie Barbeary to TNT Sports.
16:55
16:55
FULL TIME! BATH 33-26 EXETER
Heartbreak for Exeter, pure joy for Bath. What a game of rugby.
16:54
16:54
80' BATH WIN IT! TRY! BATH 33-26 EXETER (GREEN)
Wow, what a finish! Bath have won it at the death! The hosts put huge pressure on Exeter's 22' before Arthur Green dives over under the posts for the win.
Simply incredible.
16:50
16:50
SHEER FORCE FROM FISILAU
16:48
16:48
73' EXETER TRY! BATH 26-26 EXETER (FEYI-WABOSO)
What a comeback from the Chiefs! Fisilau breaks through the middle of the Bath defense, before the ball is worked out to Feyi-Waboso, who scores in the corner.
Slade adds the conversion to bring the scores level.
16:45
16:45
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Exeter make the most of their pressure and have a third try! After a number of phases, Fisilau leaps over the line to bring the Chiefs within a score of Bath.
Slade can't convert.
16:38
16:38
65' EXETER PRESSURE! BATH 26-14 EXETER
Exeter are putting the squeeze on Bath here and have a line-out deep inside their 22'. Can they make the most of this opportunity?
16:35
16:35
62' SCRAPPY SECOND HALF. BATH 26-14 EXETER
After an electric first half that saw six tries scored, the second half is yet to really get going. It has been very scrappy, with a high amount of turnovers.
Image credit: Getty Images
16:31
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58' BATH CHANGES! BATH 26-14 EXETER
Sam Underhill, Vilikesa Sela, Hennessey, Arthur Green and Kepu Tuipulotu replace Dunn, Dunn, Pepper, Muir and Barbeary.
16:26
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54' BATH GAINING CONTROL. BATH 26-14 EXETER
Bath are gaining more and more control in the second half.
Can they find that fifth try to put themselves out of sight?
16:20
16:20
49' TRY DISALLOWED! BATH 26-14 EXETER
Following a TMO review, the try is disallowed for obstruction by Opoku-Gyamfi, who is now replaced by Quinn Roux.
Charlie Chapman replaces Stephen Varney for Exeter.
16:18
16:18
48' BATH TRY! BATH 31-14 EXETER (SPENCER)
Bath have their fifth try of the evening and what a try it is! Cameron Redpath makes a brilliant break through midfield before offloading to Spencer, who scores under the posts.
16:13
16:13
45' NERVY START TO THE HALF! BATH 26-14 EXETER
Both sides know the next score will decide the match and it is showing in the opening moments of the second half.
Neither team want to lose the ball.
16:09
16:09
BACK UNDERWAY!
We are back underway at the Rec, with Bath hoping to hold off this Exeter fight back.
16:04
16:04
WATCH: WOODBURN CONTINUES EXETER FIGHT BACK
‘Brilliantly finished’ – Woodburn dives over in corner as Exeter fight back
Video credit: TNT Sports
16:01
16:01
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A thrilling first half comes to an end, with six tries and one 20-minute red card. Bath lead by 12 points after scoring four unanswered tries, but Exeter fought back with two late scores of their own.
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Watch: Carreras finishes off sublime move as Bath score three tries in seven minutes
Video credit: TNT Sports
Image credit: Getty Images