Bath 16 Chiefs 6

 

Bath        16

Exeter Chiefs    6

Mark Stevens at the Recreation Ground

Undone by the Irish last week, Exeter Chiefs saw their LV= Cup suffer a blow as another foe from the Emerald Isle proved decisive.

Brought in by Bath earlier in the week on a short-term deal until the end of the season, Irish international Peter Stringer proved the significant difference in this entertaining Westcountry battle at the Recreation Ground.

The former Munsterman helped himself to a second half brace of tries as Exeter’s search for victory over their nearest and dearest continues for another year.

In eight meetings between the two clubs since 2010, the Chiefs have still yet to taste success. Indeed, the nearest they have come to that victory scent was last month when a last-gasp penalty try ensured Gary Gold’s side a share of the spoils in the Aviva Premiership.

That said, the Chiefs will head home from this contest kicking themselves that they did not make more of a first half showing in which they dominated.
Chances came and went like London buses, but it was their inability to turn pressure into points that ultimately came back to haunt them.

Instead of turning around firmly in command, they were locked at six apiece as two Henry Slade penalties were cancelled out by his opposite number Tom Heathcote.

The second half was a much different affair as Bath – no doubt warmed up by a half-time ear-lashing from Gold – were significantly improved and it was Stringer who was the toast of the Roman City come the final whistle.

After a tough fortnight of European action against two of the Northern Hemisphere’s heavyweights in Clermont Auvergne and Leinster, it came as little surprise that the Chiefs opted to utilise their squad to the full for the recommencement of domestic cup action.

Summer signing Kai Horstmann – making his competitive debut for the club – ran out at No.8 to skipper a totally changed Exeter XV, which also included fellow debutant Watisoni Votu following a protracted few months of visa issues.

Also included in the visiting ranks were experienced stars such as Craig Mitchell, Damian Welch, Ben White and Nic Sestaret; whilst youth was again given its chance in the form of Luke Cowan-Dickie, Will Carrick-Smith, Joel Conlon, Sam Hill and the highly-rated Jack Nowell.

Bath, meanwhile, also made changes from their side which had easily seen off visiting Bucharest Wolves the week previous. They handed a debut to hooker Rob Webber, whilst Heathcote was back from training with the Scotland squad to start at fly-half.

Like the Chiefs, the home side were also made up of a healthy mix of youth and experience with the likes of Stuart Hooper, Dave Attwood, Matt Banahan and new signing Stringer all included within their ranks.

Although the Chiefs started the contest brightly, it was the home side who broke the deadlock on five minutes when Heathcote was on hand to punish Horstmann for entering at the side of a ruck with a straight-forward penalty.

Bath’s lead, though, proved short-lived as within three minutes parity was restored when Horstmann made amends for his earlier indiscretion as he linked well with Will Chudley who, after a clever burst, saw his hopes of quick ball impeded by home winger Olly Woodburn.

Thankfully top international referee Nigel Owens spotted the offence and up stepped England Under-20s starlet Slade to dispatch a sublime kick from wide on the left flank.
Buoyed by their first points, the Chiefs thought they had claimed the opening try of the game just moments later when Welch dotted down following an excellent handling move, which involved both the forwards and the backs.

Sadly for the former Scarlets lock, his maiden score in Exeter colours was chalked off as Owens deemed Cowan-Dickie’s final pass forward.

Still the Chiefs pushed forward in pursuit of points and they came close again when both Votu and Sestaret came within inches of crossing the line following more concerted pressure from the Devonians.

As Bath clung on desperately, finally the Chiefs made the breakthrough again as the sprightly Exeter forwards swarmed around hesitant Bath scrum-half Mark McMillan, winning another penalty that Slade landed with aplomb from 30 metres out.

But no sooner had the visitors given themselves a slender advantage, Bath hauled them in as Heathcote slotted his second penalty after the Chiefs were pulled up for sealing off at a ruck just outside their own 22.

Exeter, though, continued to look the more threatening and with young guns Cowan-Dickie and Hill looking prominent in attack, they fashioned another glorious opening just before the break for Mitchell, who was bundled into touch just yards from the home line.

Further forays in behind enemy lines continued from the Chiefs, but each time they were repelled by their rivals who were clearly glad to hear the half-time whistle arrive.

HALF TIME    BATH 6        EXETER CHIEFS 6

Having bossed the opening 40 minutes, the Chiefs re-emerged looking to doing similar in the second period.

Again it looked promising as Votu collected a pass off Nowell before setting off a dazzling run that left the Chiefs contingent purring with his delight. Not only did the Fijian flyer show some fancy footwork, but the turn of speed he gained off next to nothing was frightening.

But as the winger tore his way down field, another forward pass proved costly for the Chiefs as Welch spilled the ball with the try-line beckoning.

As was the case last month in the Premiership, Bath were still keeping themselves in the hunt, and having soaked up more Exeter pressure, they turned defence into attack, creating an opening for openside flanker Matt Gilbert, who was held up on the line by some determined defence from the visitors.

Although the Chiefs were able to hold out on that occasion, they could not stop Bath from reclaiming the lead when, following a line-out catch from Hooper, they drove to within sight of the line, allowing Stringer – on his debut – to sneak over from a yard out.

Having been introduced into the fray late in the first half, the Irish international was certainly making his mark. Not only was his experience crucial in getting the Bath game plan back on track, but his guile at exposing even the smallest of opportunities was proving key.

And so it proved again, just past the hour mark, when from another Bath line-out five metres out, Stringer picked up the pieces off the back of a maul before scampering down the blind-side for his second unconverted score.

The Chiefs need a response of some sorts, but again troubles with their line-out were proving costly in key areas. White and Horstmann continued to lead the fightback with some charging runs, but Bath were miserly in their defensive duties and Exeter were being forced to gamble.

Replacement Mark Foster was the next Chief to try his luck at getting over, but again he knocked the ball on just five metres out.

Sadly, that summed up Exeter’s second half display as Bath cleverly closed out the game to enhance their own hopes of progressing into the last four.

Bath: J Cuthbert; R Lane (S Rokoduguni 67), M Banahan, B Williams (S Vesty 33), O Woodburn; T Heathcote, M McMillan (P Stringer 38); C Beech (N Catt 45), R Webber (R Batty h/t), A Perenise (K Palma-Newport 78); S Hooper (capt), D Attwood; N Koster (W Skuse 64), M Gilbert (W Spencer 78), B Skirving.

Tries – Stringer (2); Penalties – Heathcote (2)

Chiefs: J Nowell; W Votu, N Sestaret (M Foster 58), S Hill, J Tatupu; H Slade (M Dorrian 58), W Chudley (J Poluleuligaga 58); C Rimmer (C Budgen 70), L Cowan-Dickie (J Yeandle 58), C Mitchell (A Brown 59); W Carrick-Smith, D Welch; J Conlon (S Simmonds 70), B White (J Blanchet 78), K Horstmann (capt).

Penalties – Slade (2)

Referee: N Owens (WRFU)

Touch Judges: K Stewart & D Campbell

4th Official: G Garner

Attendance: 11,170

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Northampton Saints (H), LV= Cup, Saturday, February 2 (6.30pm)