Bath withstand Exeter comeback to win 40-34 and maintain perfect start

Bath beat Exeter Chiefs 40-34 on Friday to record a second win from two matches in the new Prem season, recovering after the visitors overturned a 16-point half-time deficit. According to BBC Sport's match report, Bath scored six tries in an 11-try contest and finished with the maximum 10 league points from their opening two games.

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The result reversed the outcome of last season's semi-final at the same venue, when Exeter also trailed by 16 points at the interval before winning by a single point. Bath again led 26-10 at half-time, but this time survived the Chiefs' comeback. Exeter suffered a second consecutive defeat, although their five tries and a late penalty secured two bonus points.

Cameron Redpath opened Bath's scoring by intercepting Harvey Skinner's pass and running in from inside his own half. Bernard van der Linde then found a gap to score from outside the 22. Stephen Varney replied for Exeter after Immanuel Feyi-Waboso drew defenders towards the corner, but Dan du Preez added Bath's third try after an attack involving van der Linde and Ewan Richards.

Jack Yeandle scored Exeter's second try from a line-out maul before Finn Russell ensured Bath reached the break with their try bonus point already secured. Russell used a dummy and acceleration to cross, then converted his own try. The score left Exeter facing exactly the same half-time deficit as in June's semi-final, and their response again changed the balance of the match.

Josh Iosefa-Scott scored after Kane James made ground through the Bath defence, before Feyi-Waboso struck twice. His first came after a wide pass from Skinner, while his second followed a midfield break by former Bath centre Will Butt. Within 15 minutes of the restart, Exeter had moved from 16 points behind to five ahead, putting Bath's unbeaten start under threat.

Bath regained control when Varney deliberately knocked on to prevent a pass reaching Joe Cokanasiga. A penalty try followed, with Varney sent to the sin-bin. Replacement Ted Hill then crossed against the depleted Chiefs, and Russell's conversion extended the advantage beyond seven points. Henry Slade missed a penalty before Skinner landed one in the 79th minute, reducing the final margin to six and securing Exeter's losing bonus point alongside their try bonus.