Table-toppers Bath edge Chiefs in scrappy contest

Gallagher Premiership

Exeter 24 (10)

Tries: Yeandle, Brown-Bampoe (2) Cons: Slade (3) Pens: Slade

Bath 26 (26)

Tries: Penalty, Annett, Bayliss, Muir Cons: Russell (2) Pens:

Bath showed their defensive mettle with a close fought 26-24 victory over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.

Despite holding an early lead through Jack Yeandle's effort, Bath's power game proved too much for the home side, with a penalty try and efforts from Niall Annett, Josh Bayliss and Will Muir contributing to Bath's healthy half-time lead.

A determined Chiefs' renaissance saw Paul Brown-Bampoe power over for two tries early in the second half, but Bath clung on for their 12th victory of the season.

The result isn't enough to secure Bath's position in the play-offs, but with a 15-point lead in the Premiership table, they are all-but certain to host a semi-final in June.

More to follow.

Exeter: Hodge, Hammersley, Slade, Hawkins, Brown-Bampoe; Skinner, Cairns; Sio, Yeandle, Street, Tuima, Jenkins, Moloney, Capstick, Fisilau.

Replacements: Norey, Blose, Roots, Vermuelen, Vintcent, Armstrong, Haydon-Wood, Rigg.

Yellow card: Jenkins.

Bath: De Glanville, McConnochie, Ojomoh, Redpath, Muir; Russell, Spencer; Van Wyk, Annett, Du Toit, Richards, Ewels, Bayliss, Reid, Green.

Replacements: Dunn, Obano, Stuart, Molony, Hill, Schreuder, Bailey, Barbeary.

Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe