Exeter Chiefs secured a crucial 35-12 bonus-point win against Bath, moving them five points clear in fourth place in the Premiership standings. Campbell Ridl’s try in the second half was a standout moment, as the Chiefs demonstrated resilience against a Bath side still recovering from their Champions Cup disappointment.
Fourth-placed Exeter held an eight-point lead at halftime, but the game was far from settled. Defensive grit and tries from Paul Brown-Bampoe, Len Ikitau, and Campbell Ridl after the break turned the tide. Bath’s Quinn Roux received a 20-minute red card for a head collision early on, disrupting the visitors’ rhythm.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter praised his team’s response: “After a tough few weeks, this was a huge result. Lose today, and the season might have fizzled out. But now, it’s very much alive.”
The Chiefs took an early lead through two Henry Slade penalties and a try from Josh Iosefa-Scott, converted by Harvey Skinner. Bath’s Dan Frost responded with a maul score, but Finn Russell missed the conversion. The half ended 13-5.
In the second half, Bath’s Tom de Glanville was sin-binned for a knock-down, and Exeter capitalized with Brown-Bampoe’s try. Despite Bath’s attempts to mount a comeback, errors in the lineout and a missed kick to touch proved costly.
Exeter’s victory was their first in seven Premiership meetings against Bath and came amid reports of potential US investment in the club. The result puts them in a strong position with three regular-season games left.
Baxter added, “We told the players to play freely, not to tighten up. They did exactly that, and it paid off.”
