Bath beat Exeter 40-34 to go top after second-half fightback

Bath moved to the top of the Prem with a 40-34 victory over Exeter Chiefs at the Rec, recovering from a second-half comeback to secure their second win of the season. BBC Sport and the Guardian reported that an 11-try derby ended with Bath taking five points and Exeter collecting two bonus points despite defeat.

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Bath established a 14-0 lead through Cameron Redpath and Bernard van der Linde, with Finn Russell converting both tries. Redpath intercepted a pass from Harvey Skinner, while van der Linde exploited a gap in Exeter's defence. Stephen Varney answered for the visitors after Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's running had drawn in defenders and created space for the scrum-half to score.

Dan du Preez then added Bath's third try after van der Linde and Ewan Richards helped turn a favourable bounce into an attacking opportunity. Jack Yeandle kept Exeter in contention by scoring from a driving lineout, but Russell crossed before the interval to secure Bath's try bonus point. His conversion gave the hosts a 26-10 half-time advantage.

Exeter overturned that deficit within 15 minutes of the restart, according to BBC Sport. Josh Iosefa-Scott scored from close range before Feyi-Waboso struck twice, with the winger's second try coming after former Bath centre Will Butt broke through midfield. The three-try response put the Chiefs five points ahead and threatened another turnaround at the venue where they had won last season's semi-final.

Bath regained control when Varney deliberately knocked on a pass intended for Joe Cokanasiga, conceding a penalty try and receiving a yellow card. With Exeter reduced to 14 players, replacement Ted Hill scored and Russell converted. Henry Slade subsequently missed a penalty before Skinner's successful attempt in the 79th minute brought Exeter within seven points, securing a losing bonus point alongside their try bonus.

Bath director of rugby Johann van Graan credited his replacements with helping the side regain momentum. Speaking to the Guardian, he highlighted the impact of Jaco Coetzee and the returning Will Stuart. Exeter counterpart Rob Baxter said his team's intent and physicality represented an improvement on the previous week's performance. Bath finished with a maximum 10 points from two matches, while Exeter suffered a second successive defeat.