England internationals steer Exeter Chiefs to nail-biting Champions Cup win over Bath
Exeter Chiefs' Greg Fisilau scores their side’s second try during the Investec Champions Cup match at Sandy Park, Exeter.
Exeter Chiefs were made to dig deep to defeat Bath 21-15 in their Investec Champions Cup last-16 clash at Sandy Park on Saturday.
Tries from Ross Vintcent, Greg Fisilau and Ethan Roots all dotted down for the hosts, with a flawless kicking display from Henry Slade sealing Rob Baxter’s side spot in the quarters.
Thomas du Toit and Ted Hill both scored first-half tries for the visitors in the first half, with Ben Spencer converting the latter and adding a penalty in the second half, which was not enough to secure the win.
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Scotland star Finn Russell departed the action after just 15 minutes, before his replacement Orlando Bailey went off hurt during the third quarter.
And the cumulative effect was too much for Bath to absorb as Exeter fought back – into the wind – from eight points adrift.
Exeter will now face French heavyweights Toulouse or Racing 92 in the quarter-finals next weekend, and they will take considerable confidence into the game, given the fierce resolve they showed to sink their west country rivals.
Exeter, with a strong wind at their backs, made the early running and quickly established a temporary numerical advantage when Bath hooker Tom Dunn was yellow-carded following a high tackle on Chiefs’ England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
Bath, though, weathered the storm and made their first entry into Exeter’s half in the 10th minute, being helped by some poor handling and wrong options by the Chiefs.
But the visitors suffered a huge blow when Russell limped off, leaving them to play for more than an hour minus their mercurial talisman. Weather conditions were dominating the game, yet Bath had a ruthless edge and they scored from their first attack as a driven lineout ended with Du Toit touching down.
Spencer’s conversion attempt was blown wildly off target, but Bath were then their own worst enemies when number Alfie Barbeary spilled the restart and gifted Vintcent a try that Slade converted for a two-point lead after 24 minutes.
But back came Bath when Spencer’s speculative high kick was caught cleanly by Hill, who outpaced chasing Exeter defenders, including speedster Feyi-Waboso to claim an opportunist score, with Spencer adding the conversion.
Spencer then departed for a head injury assessment, and while Exeter launched phase after phase deep inside Bath’s 22, they could find no way through an outstanding defence and trailed by five points at the interval.
As if to emphasise the elements now being firmly in their favour, Bath’s advantage was extended by a 50-metre Spencer penalty that also underlined Exeter’s escalating degree of difficulty.
Bailey’s 54th-minute exit, though, saw Exeter capitalise, as a spell of concerted pressure was rounded off by Fisilau touching down and Slade’s conversion narrowing the gap to a point.
And it got even better for the home supporters when Roots rewarded impressive approach work by Feyi-Waboso to claim his team’s third try, with Slade judging the wind brilliantly to add the conversion.
Bath tried to rescue the contest as the clock ticked down, yet they could find no way through an Exeter defence that was supremely committed and organised.
And Chiefs closed the game out, helped by Bath losing an attacking lineout on their own throw, to once again reach the Champions Cup quarter-finals.
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The teams
Exeter: 15 Josh Hodge, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Tom Cairns, 8 Ross Vintcent, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 6 Ethan Roots, 5 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 4 Rusi Tuima, 3 Ehren Painter, 2 Jack Yeandle, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Jack Innard, 17 Danny Southworth, 18 Marcus Street, 19 Lewis Pearson, 20 Greg Fisilau, 21 Stu Townsend, 22 Will Haydon-Wood, 23 Zack Wimbush
Bath: 15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Will Muir, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben Spencer (c), 8 Alfie Barbeary, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Ted Hill, 5 Charlie Ewels, 4 Quinn Roux, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Beno Obano
Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Miles Reid, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Jaco Coetzee
Venue: Sandy Park
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Luc Ramos (FRA)
Assistant Referees: Pierre-Baptiste Nuchy (FRA), Evan Urruzmendi (FRA)
TMO: Patrick Dellac (FRA)