Exeter Chiefs deafeted at The Rec

When push came to shove, it was Bath who emerged triumphant in a pulsating Aviva Premiership encounter with Exeter Chiefs at the Recreation Ground.

With little to choose between either side for much of the game, it was Mike Ford’s gladiators who ultimately prevailed in the famous Roman City.

Tries from international stars Horacio Agulla, Kyle Eastmond, Dave Attwood and Anthony Watson were the key highlights, whilst a further 11 points from the boot of England ace George Ford brought the curtain down on the stubborn Exeter resistance.

The Chiefs, to their credit, played their part in this post-Christmas cracker, claiming converted tries from wingers Matt Jess and Jack Nowell, but it was never enough as their search for a first-ever Premiership win against Bath continues.

Having seen their eight-game winning streak brought to a halt at Sale last time out, Baxter made three changes to his starting line-up for this latest match-up against their nearest and dearest.

Into the pack came Jack Yeandle and Don Armand at the expense of Luke Cowan-Dickie and Ben White, whilst behind Sam Hill was recalled to partner fellow young gun Henry Slade in the visiting midfield.

Bath, fresh from their victory away to the ‘Auld Enemy’ Gloucester, freshened up their front-row handing starts to Nick Auterac, Rob Webber and Henry Thomas, while Argentinian winger Agulla was the preferred option on the right flank with England international Semesa Rokodoguni sidelined.

With personnel in place and a capacity crowd packed into the world famous Rec, it was the home side who offered the greater threat in the opening exchanges.

Ford declined an early kick at goal when Chris Cook was shoulder checked by Slade as he looked to race after a kick ahead; then moments later the lively Matt Banahan saw a try chalked off by referee J-P Doyle, who had spotted a forward pass in the build-up to what was a slick move that cut open the Exeter defence.

Living dangerously, Baxter’s men looked to respond at the other end as first prop Ben Moon broke clear of the home cover with a burst; then replacement Mitch Lees looked to make inroads when he powered his way through the heart of the Bath defence when he latched onto a pass from Will Chudley.

It was gripping, yet high-octane stuff, as both sides looked to attack at will. Chances came and went at both ends, but either stout defence or the odd handling error meant the scoreline remained untouched in the opening quarter.

Ford had a chance to break the deadlock moments later when Jack Nowell was adjudged to have strayed offside just inside his own half, but the normally deadly fly-half saw his long-range effort drift wide of the mark.

The Chiefs duly made the most of the let-off, claiming the game’s opening score on 24 minutes.

With Bath on the offensive, Dominic Day fumbled a Ford pass; Chiefs skipper Dean Mumm scooped up the loose ball before feeding Jess on the charge.

Still with half of the field to race, the ‘Heamoor Flyer’ applied the right foot, speeding clear of the advances of Banahan to claim the score, which Gareth Steenson duly converted.

Visiting joy was soon dampened, however, as it took Bath just five minutes to draw level.

Pressing hard in attack, Leroy Houston did well to hold onto another fizzing pass from Ford, before offloading to Eastmond, who in turn fed Agulla who did the rest with an assured finish.

Ford slotted the extras to that score and Bath’s second which arrived just four minutes before the break when Cook’s clever work around the ruck allowed him to create the opening for England centre Eastmond to cruise over by the posts.

Even then there was still time for one last Chiefs foray into home waters, but on this occasion great work from Eastmond at the tackle zone denied the visiting raid and it was Bath who held the upper hand at the turn.

Half time: Bath Rugby 14 Exeter Chiefs 7