Aviva Premiership: Bath put down title marker with 31-14 victory over Exeter
Last Updated: 27/12/14 4:26pm
Bath powered to an impressive 31-14 victory over Exeter at The Rec to underline their Aviva Premiership title credentials.
Horacio Agulla, centre Kyle Eastmond, replacement lock Dave Attwood and full-back Anthony Watson scored the tries but forward power was the key to their success.
Fly-half George Ford converted all four touchdowns and added a penalty, while Exeter - in third spot before kick-off - replied through tries from wings Matt Jess and Jack Nowell, with Gareth Steenson landing both conversions.
Bath, who gave rugby league import Sam Burgess an 18-minute run off the bench, look serious contenders for the title but Exeter made them scrap in a bruising derby.
It was not until the arrival off the bench of England lock Attwood that they broke free of the tenacious Chiefs.
Attwood sparked a period of the home side scoring 17 unanswered points as they set themselves up nicely for next Sunday's Premiership appointment with old rivals Leicester at Welford Road.
The first points came after 24 minutes when a superb pick-up and pass by Exeter skipper Dean Mumm allowed Jess a 50-metre run to the Bath posts for a try that Steenson converted.
Four minutes later Bath were level - slick threequarter handling created space for Argentina star Agulla, who cut neatly back inside to claim a try which Ford converted.
Bath’s much-vaunted handling in the backs led to a further try just before half-time with Ford and his half-back partner Chris Cook involved in carving out an opening for England centre Eastmond that he gratefully accepted.
Exeter were clearly pumped up by coach Rob Baxter’s half-time pep-talk, and levelled it up five minutes after the break.
Centre Sam Hill’s break and clever kick ahead saw Nowell react quickest and claim a poacher's try that Steenson converted.
But the arrival of Attwood turned the game - a brutal 57th-minute Bath driving maul ended with the big second row powering over.
Ford's successful touchline conversion made it 21-14 and Bath were now in search of a bonus point, having flicked a switch up front that left Exeter floundering.
Burgess replaced Jonathan Joseph early in the final quarter, and Ford then opened up a 10-point Bath lead with a penalty.
With Bath turning the screw up front, Exeter lost their discipline, and lock Mitch Lees was sin-binned 10 minutes from time.
Predictably, it was too much to cope with, and Watson administered the final blow – and sealed the bonus point - two minutes from time when he crossed unopposed, and Ford's conversion took Bath past 30 points.
