Bath 18 Chiefs 20

If today is ‘Super Saturday’ in the Aviva Premiership, then ‘Fantastic Friday’ offered the perfect build-up as Exeter Chiefs extended their lead at the top of the division to 11 points with victory over Bath.

Rob Baxter’s side only collected their first-ever Premiership win at the Recreation Ground last season, when late heroics from James Short saw them down their local rivals right at the death.

A year down the line and Devon’s finest again left it late to grab the spoils in this derby encounter, Joe Simmonds pocketing a penalty three minutes from time to ensure the Chiefs of their 13th win of the campaign.

The young fly-half bagged half of his side’s points on the night, whilst older brother Sam and fellow forward Jonny Hill weighed in with the remaining points.

Bath, who offered a spirited fight all evening, countered with tries of their own through Matt Banahan and Paul Grant, plus points from the boots of Freddie Burns and Rhys Priestland, but it was not enough to dent the Chiefs who remain firmly on course for a home semi-final in the play-offs

Returning to Premiership action for the first time in a fortnight, the table-topping Chiefs were looking to build on recent home wins over Northampton Saints and Saracens with a similar outcome against their nearest and dearest.

Baxter paraded a powerful visiting line-up, which was boosted by the return from Six Nations duty of prop Tomas Francis, together with back-row forwards Don Armand and Sam Simmonds.
Bath, meanwhile, also had their international stars back in harness as Taulupe Faletau and Jonathan Joseph were brought into their starting mix as they looked to keep their hopes of a top six finish alive in this much anticipated Westcountry derby.

For the full match report go to: https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/bath-18-chiefs-20