Bath end losing streak by beating Exeter Chiefs

Bath ended their three match losing streak and kept their hopes of reaching the top six in the Premiership with a 26-18 win over Exeter Chiefs at the Rec.

England back Matt Banahan scored one and set up centre Matt Carraro for another
as they moved to within one point of sixth placed Harlequins with a game in
hand.

Scrum-half Michael Claassens added a third with fly-half Butch James kicking
11 points. Exeter responded through tries from full-back Luke Arscott and winger
Matt Jess with stand-off Gareth Steenson booting two penalties and a conversion.

With the play-offs all but out of their reach, it was Bath who found themselves
behind through an early penalty from Steenson.

The Chiefs then extended that lead when Arscott beat Banahan in a foot race
to touch down, Steenson missing the conversion.

The hosts hit back with James kicking a penalty, but the away side continued
to press and wasted two chances through centre Sireli Naqelevuki and number
eight Richard Baxter.

Bath made them pay for those missed opportunities reducing the gap to two points
through the boot of James prior to the stand-off converting Banahan’s try a
minute before half-time.

After an indifferent first period, Bath started the second half at pace and
Banahan provided a moment of brilliance as he fed Carraro, James adding the
extras.

James and Steenson then traded penalties before flanker James Scaysbrook was
sin-binned for the away side on the hour mark.

Exeter were down to 13 men for a brief period when Hoani Tui was also yellow
carded for persistent scrum infringements. And Claassens added a third try for
the hosts before Exeter had the final say when Jess went over with two minutes
remaining.

Final Score Bath (13) 26 Exeter (8) 18

Scorers

Bath
Tries: Banahan, Carraro, Claassens
Cons: James
Pens: James 3

Exeter Chiefs
Tries: Arscott, Jess
Cons: Mieres
Pens: Steenson 2

Referee: Martin Fox (66th Premiership game)

Teams

Bath Rugby 15. Sam Vesty ,14. Matt Banahan ,13. Matt Carraro ,12. Shontayne Hape ,11. Nick Abendanon ,10. Butch James ,9. Michael Claassens,8. Luke Watson ( c ) ,7. Guy Mercer,6. Stuart Hooper ,5. Danny Grewcock ,4. Peter Short ,3. David Wilson,2. Lee Mears,1. David Flatman

Replacements:16. Pieter Dixon ,17. Nathan Catt ,18. Duncan Bell ,19. Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe ,20. Josh Ovens,21. Mark McMillan ,22. Nick Scott,23. Jacques Boussuge

Exeter Chiefs :15 Luke Arscott , 14 Matt Jess , 13 Jason Shoemark , 12 Sireli Naqelevuki , 11 Nic Sestaret , 10 Gareth Steenson , 9 Junior Poluleuligaga , 1 Brett Sturgess , 2 Neil Clark , 3 Hoani Tui , 4 Tom Hayes (capt) , 5 Chad Slade , 6 Tom Johnson , 7 James Scaysbrook , 8 Richard Baxter

Replacements : 16 Chris Whitehead , 17 Ben Moon , 18 Ignacio Elosu , 19 Dave Gannon , 20 James Phillips , 21 Garrick Cowley , 22 Phil Dollman , 23 Ignacio Mieres

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