Bath Rugby snatched a heart-stopping victory from the jaws of a dispiriting draw, scoring a try in the final minute to defeat Exeter Chiefs 33-26 in a Gallagher Premiership classic at the Recreation Ground.
A Blistering Start and a Costly Red Card
The match exploded into life from the outset, with Bath determined to atone for a home defeat to Northampton the previous week. Their cause was helped immensely when Exeter's Campbell Ridl was shown a 20-minute red card in just the third minute for a dangerous aerial challenge on Henry Arundell.
Capitalising on their numerical advantage, Bath ran in four tries inside the opening 20 minutes to secure the season's fastest bonus point. Beno Obano powered over from close range for the first, before Alfie Barbeary followed suit. A superb finish from Santiago Carreras and a score from Ollie Lawrence, created by Ben Spencer, completed the early blitz, putting Bath 26-0 ahead.
The Exeter Fightback: From Despair to Level Terms
The momentum shifted dramatically the moment Exeter were restored to 15 players. The Chiefs began to dominate territory and possession, with their penalty count mounting. They clawed their way back into the contest with two tries before half-time from Joseph Dweba and Olly Woodburn, both converted expertly from the touchline by Henry Slade.
Bath thought they had re-established control early in the second half, but a try was ruled out for obstruction. Exeter, driven by their exciting young talents, completed their stunning resurgence. Greg Fisilau crashed over for their third try, and with five minutes remaining, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso finished a sustained attack to score in the corner. Slade's conversion from the touchline once more tied the scores at 26-26, setting up a grandstand finish.
Green the Hero in Epic Finale
With the clock in the red, Bath launched one final, desperate assault on the Exeter line. After a mammoth 38 phases of relentless pressure, replacement hooker Arthur Green finally burrowed his way over the try line to break Exeter hearts. The conversion was immaterial, sealing a 33-26 win that sparked scenes of pure relief and elation among the Bath players.
The victory was Bath's fifth try of a chaotic afternoon, but their first points since the 20th minute. It was a testament to their resilience, having weathered a phenomenal Exeter comeback that saw the visitors score 26 unanswered points. For Exeter, it was a crushing defeat after a display of immense character, leaving them to reflect on what might have been had they not suffered that early red card.
