Bath Rugby fell to agonising defeat as Exeter Chiefs overcame a 16-point deficit to claim the spoils and secure a spot in next weekend’s Gallagher PREM final at Allianz Stadium.
The Rec, bathed in sunshine, meant conditions could not have been better for the Gallagher Prem semi-final play-off contest between the Blue, Black and Whites and the Chiefs.
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Still without a talisman and playmaker, Finn Russell, who watched from the stands as his side went toe-to-toe for a spot at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham next Saturday in the PREM Final against Northampton Saints.
For Johann van Graan’s side, they contested their third consecutive play-off semi-final, and did so against a spirited Exeter outfit, who have had a remarkable resurgent season.
However, tries from Ben Obano, Thomas du Toit, Joe Cokanasiga, and Henry Arundell proved insufficient despite six points from the tee of Santi Carreras as Bath fell to a brutal and bruising 27-26 defeat at the Rec.
Bath Rugby: 26
Tries: Ben Obano (11′), Thomas du Toit (19′), Joe Cokanasiga (27′), Henry Arundell (33′)
Conversions: Santi Carreras (12′, 20′, 28′)
Penalties:
Yellow Card: Joe Cokanasiga (64′)
Exeter Chiefs: 27
Tries: Christ Tshiunza (25′), Ben Hammersley (50′), Greg Fisilau (55′), Ethan Burger (67′)
Conversions: Henry Slade (25′, 51′)
Penalties: Harvey Skinner (15′)
Yellow Cards: Henry Slade (10′)
Scroll down for Bath Rugby’s player ratings from the Gallagher Prem play-off semi-final contest at The Rec.
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15. Tom de Glanville- 5.5
Having scored four times in the regular season for Bath, it was a quiet afternoon for the fullback. He made the odd break, but didn’t make much of an impact on the contest, and kicked the ball out on the full late in the contest.
14. Joe Cokanasiga- 6
The 28-year-old scored before the half-hour mark and was Bath’s biggest attacking threat when given space to work. A complete nuisance when the hosts were on the front foot, and continuously showed great footwork and pace. A late yellow card sees the winger get a low score.
13. Ollie Lawrence- 7.5
The outside-centre, perhaps like his counterpart in midfield, is still playing with a point to prove due to international omission. Broke through the Chiefs’ defence brilliantly, which at times proved to be the catalyst for his side to get past Exeter.
He carried 82 metres alone in the first half, more than any other player in the first half.
12. Max Ojomoh- 6
With England’s head coach Steve Borthwick overlooking the versatile back player, the centre celebrated his 100th appearance in this semi-final. The inside centre was used well in his side’s attack, but perhaps his hard work was overlooked due to being accompanied by Lawrence.
11. Henry Arundell- 7
At the start of the second quarter, the winger made a brilliant try-saving tackle in the corner to stop Paul Brown-Bampoe from scoring the Devon side’s first of the afternoon. Then, before half-time, he magnificently touched down following an impressive cross-field kick.
10. Santi Carreras- 6
Best performance in a Bath jersey? Well, still, Bath went on without Russell, and Carreras, who has not hit the heights since joining from Gloucester, had the Scottish international giving pointers prior to kick-off.
It was a nervy start, fumbling possession early on, and then threw an interception pass following Bath being on the front foot. Chased well to stop Slade as well and was greeted with a raucous cheer from the home faithful at the end of the opening 40 minutes.
He should have gone for the drop goal.
9. Ben Spencer (C)- 7
The 33-year-old worked incredibly well in attack, keeping his side’s tempo, and was the orchestrator in Arundell’s scoring in the corner at the end of the first half. In fact, he assisted in two of the four opening tries. He made a number of testing kicks in behind, and with that said, it was a decent afternoon from the scrum-half.
1. Beno Obano- 7
The loose-head following a dominant first scrum, and early pressure on the Chiefs’ defence, scored from close distance to break the deadlock.
That theme continued throughout the contest, as a well-disciplined afternoon following two yellow cards in the season came to a close after being replaced by Francois van Wyk.
2. Tom Dunn- 6
Running out in his third consecutive play-off semi-final, and following recently becoming Bath’s record appearance holder in the professional era. His arrows were firing straight away, which allowed Bath to build upon when in attack. He was eventually replaced by Kepueli Tuipulotu before the hour mark.
3. Thomas du Toit- 7
Fresh from scoring a rare tight-head prop hat-trick last weekend against Leicester, du Toit carried on this remarkable tally by scoring at the end of the first quarter. That’s now five tries in his last three appearances for Bath.
4. Quinn Roux- 6.5
The second row made a notable darting run in the latter stages of the first half, and then linked well with Spencer in midfield. Made some much-needed hits in defence, and worked well around the breakdown.
5. Charlie Ewels- 6
The 30-year-old had one of the quieter performances of the Bath forward pack, but alongside flanker Bayliss was beneficial when it came to lineout time. His afternoon came to a close after the 50-minute mark, after being replaced by Ted Hill.
6. Josh Bayliss- 7.5
Yet more of the same from Bayliss, who started brightly in the contest and was one of Bath’s main ball carriers. As you expect from a blind-side flanker, he did a lot of the unseen work well, but still shone in both attack and defence, with a great tackle on Greg Fisilau a highlight.
7. Sam Underhill- 7
Penalised around the breakdown, which then led to Exeter scoring their first points of the afternoon. From there on in, it was more of a disciplined performance, with Underhill making some brilliant hits when in defence, and he was a complete nuisance around the breakdown area.
8. Alfie Barbeary- 9
“Steve Borthwick, are you watching?” was the cry in the Rec for the big ball-carrying number eight who got his side over the gainline more often than not. In the opening 40 alone, he made 13 carries and beat eight defenders, too.
Replacements:
16. Kepueli Tuipulotu- 6
17. Francois van Wyk- 6
18. Vilikesa Sela- 5.5
19. Ross Moloney- 6
20. Ted Hill- 5
21. Bernard van der Linde- 5
22. Cameron Redpath- 5
23. Miles Reid- 6
