BATH — Bath gained a measure of revenge for June's Prem semi-final defeat to Exeter Chiefs with a 40-34 victory in an 11-try contest at home, making it two wins from two to open the new Prem season.
The hosts had a try bonus point secured by the break and led 26-10 at halftime after tries from Cameron Redpath, Bernard van der Linde, Dan du Preez and Finn Russell — who did not play in the semi-final loss in June — with Russell adding four conversions. Exeter stayed in touch through first-half tries from Stephen Varney and Jack Yeandle, with Henry Slade converting.
Exeter turned the match after the interval as Josh Iosefa-Scott crossed and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored twice to put the visitors ahead. Bath hit back when Varney conceded a penalty try for a deliberate knock-on, and Ted Hill added the decisive try to take the game beyond Exeter before Harvey Skinner kicked a late penalty to ensure the Chiefs left with two bonus points from a second consecutive defeat.
The result reverses the outcome from three months ago and extended the league's all-out attack start to the campaign. Bath started Donoghue, Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Redpath, de Glanville, Russell, van der Linde, Obano, Dunn, Stuart, Roux, Ewels (capt), Richards, Pepper and du Preez, while Exeter fielded Woodburn, Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Butt, Wyatt, Skinner, Varney, Burger, Yeandle, Iosefa-Scott, Wilson, Jenkins (capt), E Roots, James and Fisilau.