Bath Recreation Ground: Saturday 13th June, 2026. Bath Rugby 26 Exeter Chiefs 27
By Harry Mottram: In bright sunny June sunshine, Bath kept the Exeter Chiefs at arm’s length in the first half in a tense encounter at the Rec. The second half saw Exeter come back after they trailed 26-10 at the break as the Blue Black and Whites lost ground. An early try by Beno Obano and converted by Santi Carreras put Bath ahead after Exeter’s Henry Slade was sin-binned giving the home side a 7-0 lead. Alfie Barbeary had some impressive carries with Thomas du Toit with Tom Dunn, Quinn Roux and Charlie Ewels in support as Bath took charge.
Exeter’s Harvey Skinner kicked a penalty to make it 7-3, but on 19 minutes Thomas du Toit powered over for a second try with a Carreras conversion pushing the score to 14-3. Exeter came close to closing the gap with a disallowed Slade try after he stepped out of play in his effort to score. Then the Chiefs did score with Christ Tshiunza going over and with a Carreras conversion the score was tight at 14-10. Ollie Lawrence with Max Ojomoh continued to give Bath territory as the Blue Black Whites scored another try taking the score with the conversion to 21-10 before Ben Spencer’s kick to Henry Arundell who scored to bring the score at the break to 26-10 as there was no conversion.
The second half began with a feeling this was Bath’s game to lose but then Exeter reorganised themselves and forced their way back in the game. With 23 minutes to go Exeter battled back with a converted try to narrow the score from 26-10 to 26-17 and the Chiefs piled on the pressure. Henry Slade touching down before Greg Fisilau also went over to take the score to just four points the difference at 26-22 as Slade’s kick failed to convert the try. More pressure from the visitors saw Ethan Burger score a try from close range to put them into a 26-27 lead on 67 minutes. A missed conversion meant it was to be a grandstand finish.
Meanwhile Northampton must have been pleased watching the game play out as this is an exhausting and energy sapping encounter. Who would edge this game as the final minutes ticked away with Bath one man short as Joe Cokanasiga sin binned. Exeter managed the final moments as the final whistle beckoned along with a trip to Twickenham and to deny Bath glory. With seconds left Bath pressed Exeter into their own 22 edging closer to the line as time ran out with the game on a knife edge – either side could win but Exeter held out to win by a single point. Massive disappointment at the Rec as it looked like a drop goal at the death could have won it. There will be much soul searching in Bath as it was a game that Bath threw away in the end.
Final score 26-27 to Exeter.
Photo credit: BBC Sport.
Bath Voice and Local Democracy Reporters
The journalists are funded by the BBC as part of its latest Charter commitment, but are employed by regional news organisations. A total of 165 reporters are allocated to news organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland including Bath Voice. These organisations range from television and radio stations to online media companies and established regional newspaper groups. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities, second-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor
Email him at news@bathvoice.co.uk Bath website: https://bathvoice.co.uk/news/
Bath Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/bdtf2kep Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bath_voice And Bluesky @bathvoicenews.bsky.social And also on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/harrymottram6/
Harry Mottram is a freelance journalist has his own website with more stories on a variety of subjects at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/ and has a strong social media presence – check out his work.
Read the newspaper online at :https://issuu.com/bathvoice
To advertise to thousands of Bathonians call Shaun on 07540 383870 or email him on sales@bathvoice.co.uk