Saturday’s Prem Rugby sees Bathtub return to prime of desk after dramatic late win over Exeter Chiefs at The Rec; Bathtub obtained out to 26-0 lead in contest after Exeter 20-minute crimson card, just for Chiefs to struggle again and improbably degree with six to play; Bathtub then snatched win in closing minute
Final Up to date: 03/01/26 5:48pm
Bathtub struck for last-gasp Prem Rugby victory after Exeter Chiefs fought to degree from 26-0 behind on the Rec
Bathtub misplaced a 26-point lead in an epic south-west derby solely to grab again victory in probably the most dramatic vogue within the closing seconds to beat Exeter 33-26 and transfer again to the highest of the Prem Rugby desk.
Exeter confirmed large resilience to recuperate from a crimson card in the beginning of the sport and drew degree with simply six minutes remaining, however a strive after 33 phases by No 8 Arthur Inexperienced saved Bathtub on the loss of life.
The drama started within the opening seconds when Henry Arundell was upended by reverse quantity Campbell Ridl and referee Luke Pearce confirmed the left-wing a crimson card, decreasing the guests to 14 gamers for 20 minutes on the Recreation Floor.
Bathtub, fired up after their shock residence defeat to Northampton final weekend, made the a lot of the numerical benefit by scoring 4 tries in fast succession.
Prop Beno Obano was first over the road, ending off a line-out catch-and-drive after Tom Dunn, debutant lock Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi and Alfie Barbeary had battered away.
A tapped penalty supplied the second for Barbeary, displaying his greatest type since final season’s Prem championship marketing campaign.
No sooner had Finn Russell struck his second conversion than Barbeary was bullocking his means upfield from the restart, creating momentum for Bathtub so as to add a free-flowing third strive for Santi Carreras.
As Arundell returned after therapy and Exeter continued to concede penalties, Ollie Lawrence dotted down within the nook to reward one other close-range drive from a line-out.
Russell was vast with the conversion however Bathtub had their bonus level and a 26-0 lead.
As soon as restored to fifteen gamers, Exeter started to contest the breakdown extra aggressively and Henry Slade punished the hosts’ indiscretions together with his kicks to the nook.
Hooker Joseph Dweba first scored from a catch-and-drive and that strive was rapidly adopted by a landing within the left nook by Olly Woodburn. Slade transformed each scores and Exeter had been all of a sudden again within the recreation at 26-14.
Bathtub thought they’d a fifth strive quickly after the break however skipper Ben Spencer’s strive was rubbed out for an inadvertent however useful obstruction as Cameron Redpath made a gap within the guests’ 22.
Now it was Bathtub who had been on the again foot, conceding a collection of penalties that ultimately pressured them into determined defence.
Led by their skipper, Dafydd Jenkins, the guests surged to the house line and No 8 Greg Fisilau plunged over for a deserved strive after 67 minutes, however Slade’s conversion was properly vast.
As the stress constructed, Bathtub had been now hanging on for pricey life however Immanuel Feyi-Waboso squeezed in for a dramatic strive within the nook, which Slade transformed to deliver the edges degree.
By some means, Bathtub dug deep to construct a chronic assault on the different finish.
Carreras was hauled down below the posts however alternative Inexperienced was in help to attain below the posts earlier than Russell added the conversion.
