Exeter Chiefs produced a strong second half showing to record a 29-10 victory over Bath Rugby at Sandy Park. 

It was a positive start from the visitors, with Ruaridh McConnochie making a blistering run from halfway into the Exeter 22. The hosts did well to retreat in defence, but Bath continued to mount the pressure in attack. The persistence paid off and Rhys Priestland slotted the first points of the game from the tee with five minutes played. [0-3]

Exeter hit back three minutes later with a penalty of their own after Bath were penalised for not rolling away in their 22. Joe Simmonds kicked a routine penalty to draw his side level. [3-3]

Former Bath man Olly Woodburn nearly crawled his way over the line moments later, but after intervention from the TMO the try was ruled out. The Blue, Black and White showed great presence to turn defence into attack with a piece of individual brilliance from Jonathan Joseph. The centre broke through from halfway finding Tom Ellis outside him to take his side to just a few metres out. Nathan Catt was on hand to bundle over and score following several phases. Priestland added the extras, increasing his sides lead to seven points with 15 minutes played. [3-10]

Chiefs showed their resilience to hit back 15 minutes before the interval. Exeter dislodged the ball from Bath hands as they looked to attack from inside their 22. The ball was quickly recycled to the right wing and Jack Nowell made further in roads. The ball then came back inside, with Simmonds making the crucial break before offloading to Ollie Devoto to score. [10-10]

Two minutes from the break, the hosts struck again, with Dave Ewers making a blistering break into the Bath 22. Play was spread from right to the left, before Don Armand popped a clever pass to captain Jack Yeandle running on his inside shoulder. The hooker did the rest and crossed the whitewash to put his side into the lead for the first time. Simmonds extended the lead to seven. [17-10]

Half-time Exeter Chiefs 10-17 Bath Rugby

The opening stages of the second half proved to be frantic to say the least, with play moving from one end to the field to the other. Bath held the majority of the territory and possession, but were unable to break down an irrepressible defensive line.

It took 20 minutes in the second half before the next points came. After a prolonged spell of pressure, and several penalties awarded to Exeter, referee Karl Dickson signalled a penalty try as the home side's scrum rumbled towards the line. To make matters worse for the visitors, prop Beno Obano was shown a yellow card and Bath were reduced to 14 men. [24-10]

Bath showed tenacity to survive being one man down, but Chiefs dealt the killer blow five minutes from time. Exeter kept the pressure on in the 22 and took full advantage. Despite Tom Homer’s best efforts to intercept, the home side had the weight in numbers with Woodburn dotting down in the corner for the bonus point. [29-10] 

Full-time Exeter Chiefs 29-10 Bath Rugby