Bath 21 Chiefs 16

Bath 21

Exeter Chiefs 16

Mark Stevens at the Recreation Ground


The long wait for Exeter Chiefs to record a top flight win over Bath will continue into the New Year at least after a kicking masterclass from fly-half George Ford settled a pulsating Westcountry derby at a packed Recreation Ground.

Bath's young playmaker produced a faultless display of goalkicking as he not only landed six penalties, but also delivered a sumptuous second half drop-goal to ultimately sink the brave resistance of Rob Baxter's visitors.

In a nip-and-tuck contest which saw the lead change countless times, the Chiefs - who countered with tries from Damian Welch and Dean Mumm, plus two penalties from Gareth Steenson - again fell agonisingly short at the final hurdle.

Exeter's loss - their sixth in seven Premiership meetings between the two clubs - means they have slipped to sixth in the standings; whilst Bath's triumph means they will head into the two-week European break safely positioned in the division's top three.

Undone by leaders Saracens last time out, Baxter made three changes to his starting line-up for this latest encounter with their closest neighbours. Up front, Ben Moon was handed a start in the front row at the expense of Brett Sturgess, whilst Jason Shoemark returned at centre and Luke Arscott came in for his first league start of the season at full-back.

Likewise, Bath also tinkered with their formation from that which saw them to a comfortable 28-5 win at London Wasps. International stars Horacio Agulla and Francois Louw headed up a quartet of changes, alongside Anthony Watson and Dominic Day.

Back at The Rec just a fortnight after Bath took the honours in the LV= Cup meeting, the Chiefs were determined to ensure there would be no repeat of their sluggish start on that occasion. As expected the early exchanges were frenetic and largely restricted to an arm wrestle between the respective packs.

However, a powerful scrum from the visitors not only repelled Bath's early advances, but also won them a crucial penalty from which Steenson was able to clear the danger. From the resultant line-out, a clever ball off the top from Dave Ewers released Jack Nowell, who in turn turned on the after burners and scorched clear of the home defence.  With Bath scrambling in defence, referee Matt Carley spotted a no-arm tackle on the Cornishman and the Chiefs responded in kind as Steenson landed an early kick.

Not that Exeter's lead lasted all that long as Ford countered just minutes later with a penalty of his own after Chiefs prop Hoani Tui was pulled up for offside following a scramble in midfield.

It was, however, proving a gripping contest as the Chiefs looked to run their rivals ragged with wave upon wave of attacks. Bath, though, were offering stubborn resistance to the visiting threat with South African star Louw often at the heart of their defensive duties.

The Chiefs, though, had the bit between their teeth and were duly rewarded with the game's opening try on 23 minutes. Fielding a loose clearance from Ford, Arscott spun the ball back inside to Matt Jess on the charge and as the 'Heamoor Flyer' tore through the middle of the home defence, he then offloaded to Welch (pictured) wide on the left. With plenty still to do, the towering second row skipped inside one challenge, before fending off two more opponents to score one-handed in the corner.

Irishman Steenson failed with the testing touchline conversion, whilst at the other end Ford countered with a second successful kick of the afternoon when No.8 Ewers were deemed to have held on in the tackle as the Chiefs looked to play out from inside their own 22.

Ford was proving deadly accurate with his kicking duties and with the last action of the first half, he plundered a third kick from just inside the Chiefs half to give his side a slender one-point buffer at the turn.

HALF TIME    BATH 9    EXETER CHIEFS 8

Buoyed by that late first half score, Bath flew out on the traps on the resumption as they looked to add to their tally. A succession of early penalties allowed them to camp deep inside the Chiefs 22, but although they huffed and puffed with a string of line out mauls, Exeter defence was holding firm in the heat of an absorbing battle.

With the threat repelled, it was now the turn of the Chiefs to try and flex their muscles in attack. Arscott continued to prove a live wire with his counter breaks, whilst there was a lovely exchange of hands involving all three members of Exeter's back-row.

It was end to end stuff, played at a breakneck speed, but when Tui infringed once more - this time for playing the ball on the deck - it allowed Ford to send over a fourth penalty and extend his side's lead to four points.

Replacements were thrown on from both sides, but it was the Chiefs who countered through their inspirational on-field leader. With the Exeter forwards swarming around a Bath ruck - like bees around a honey pot - the ball squirted out the side to Mumm (pictured), whose fly-hack in behind triggered a multiple foot race to the line. The Aussie is a thoroughbred performer and as he galloped clear of his rivals, his long frame proved sufficient enough for him to dot down for a second uncovered score.

But again the Chiefs could not hold onto their lead as yet another telling blow from Ford - this time after Moon had dropped a scrum on halfway - allowed the home side to edge themselves back in front.

Exeter's penalty count was steadily creeping up by the minute and with Ford able to cleverly position his side deep into Exeter's half, it created the platform for the talented No.10 to send over a sublime drop-goal on 68 minutes.

However, anything Ford could do for the home side, Steenson would do in response for the Chiefs who cut the deficit once more when the prolific goal kicker slotted a penalty after Carley punished Bath for dropping a scrum midway inside their own half.

Moments later and Steenson had another opportunity when Stringer failed to roll away at a ruck. However, this time the Irishman lengthy punt cannoned back off the right post, much to the relief of the home faithful.

It was to prove a telling miss as Bath countered back down field themselves, winning themselves a sixth penalty which Ford again dispatched with aplomb just three minutes from time.

The Chiefs did their best to summon one last hurrah, but sadly it was to no avail as the Bath curse continued for a little while longer.

Next up for the Chiefs is a return to European exploits over the next fortnight, not that it gets any easier with back to back showdowns with the superstars of Toulon.


Bath: A Watson (N Abendanon 9-17); H Agulla, J Joseph (N Abendanon 69), O Devoto (T Heathcote 75), M Banahan; G Ford, P Stringer (M Roberts 74); N Catt (P James 46), R Webber (R Batty 60), D Wilson (A Perenise 63); D Day (R Caldwell 53), D Attwood; M Garvey (C Fearns 25-30), F Louw (capt), L Houston (C Fearns 53, Houston 66, Fearns 69).

Penalties - Ford (6); Drop-Goal - Ford

Chiefs: L Arscott; J Nowell, P Dollman, J Shoemark (I Whitten 63), M Jess; G Steenson, D Lewis (H Thomas 69); B Moon (B Sturgess 63), J Yeandle (C Whitehead 53), H Tui (A Brown 53); D Mumm (capt), D Welch; T Johnson, B White (K Horstmann 69), D Ewers. Replacements (not used): D Armand, H Slade.

Tries - Welch, Mumm; Penalties - Steenson (2)

Referee: M Carley

Attendance: 12,200

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Toulon (H), Heineken Cup, Saturday, December 7 (1.35pm)