Exeter Chiefs strengthened their push for the Premiership playoffs with a 35-12 victory over Bath at Sandy Park. Tries from Paul Brown-Bampoe, Len Ikitau and Campbell Ridl, alongside a resilient defensive display, secured a crucial win that moves Exeter into fourth place, five points clear of Bristol in fifth.
Bath, still recovering from their Champions Cup semi-final defeat in Bordeaux, struggled to find their rhythm after losing second-row Quinn Roux to a 20-minute red card early in the game for a head collision with Henry Slade. Despite a strong maul try from Dan Frost, Bath trailed 13-5 at halftime.
Exeter extended their lead in the second half through Brown-Bampoe's try, but Bath responded with Sam Underhill's score, converted by Finn Russell. However, Exeter's defence held firm, and tries from Ikitau and Ridl sealed the bonus-point victory. Henry Slade contributed 13 points with the boot.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter hailed the result as a timely boost, saying, 'A poor result for us today and it would have felt like the season is petering out a little bit. That’s dead now.' Bath remain in second place but their home semi-final spot is not yet assured.
