Chiefs' cup hopes dealt a blow

Bath 37 Exeter Chiefs 15

The hopes of Exeter Chiefs advancing into the latter stages of this season’s LV= Cup were dealt an untimely blow as Bath gained maximum reward from their encounter at The Rec.

A storming first half display from Gary Gold’s side lay the foundations for a powerful home win, which was sealed emphatically with tries from Matt Banahan, Matt Garvey, Martin Roberts and Charlie Beech.

Goalkickers George Ford and Tom Heathcote did the remainder of the damage as they kicked 17 points between them to ensure Bath’s unbeaten streak against the Chiefs continued into yet another game.

In reply, tries from James Phillips and Greg Bateman were the main highlights in a unusually below-par showing from the visitors in the famous Roman city. Having kicked off their LV= Cup campaign with a 19-5 victory over Harlequins, the Chiefs once again fielded a powerful line-up for this latest match-up against their nearest and dearest.

Changes in personnel saw Chris Whitehead and Carl Rimmer come into the front-row, whilst there was a first start of the season for Phillips at No.8. Behind, Haydn Thomas and Henry Slade formed a new half-back pairing; the experienced Jason Shoemark was brought into the midfield; while Welsh international Tom James was given the nod on the left flank.

Like the Chiefs, Bath also opened up their domestic cup account with victory thanks to Dave Attwood’s last-gasp try against last season’s beaten finalists Sale Sharks. Matchwinner Attwood was one of ten changes the home side made to their starting XV from that which took to the field at the AJ Bell Stadium.

The England international was one of six changes up front for Bath, who also included Carl Fearns, Matt Garvey, Stuart Hooper, Rob Webber and Juan-Pablo Orlandi, the latter of whom was making his first start of the season.

In the Bath backs, Ford took over in the number ten jersey, where he was joined by the attacking threats of Matt Banahan, Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson.

See more at: http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/bath-37-chiefs-15/#sthash.9A8P617b.dpuf

* Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency