Bath Rugby beat Exeter Chiefs 33-26 at the Recreation Ground on Saturday in Round Nine of the 2025/26 Gallagher PREM
05:45, 04 Jan 2026Updated 09:33, 04 Jan 2026
Santi Carreras and Ross Molony of Bath Rugby celebrate after their team scored a try. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Bath responded to last week’s shock loss to Northampton Saints with a last-gasp 33-26 win over Exeter Chiefs at the Rec on Saturday.
Bath scored the fastest bonus point of the season after Exeter’s Campbell Ridl was shown a 20-minute red card for a tackle in the air on Henry Arundell, as Bath tore a 14-man Chiefs to shreds. Tries from Beno Obano, Alfie Barbeary, Santi Carreras and Ollie Lawrence saw the hosts lead 26-0 after 20 minutes, but thanks to Henry Slade’s great kicking to touch and some clinical work by the forwards, the visitors went into the break just 12 points down with Joseph Dweba and Olly Woodburn.
READ MORE: Bath Rugby 33-26 Exeter Chiefs LIVE: Reaction and full highlights from the Rec
Bath looked to have found a response after halftime when Cam Redpath snuck through a gap; however, the TMO rightly denied the try for blocking by Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi. This proved to change the game as Exeter would kick into gear and score two tries to level the match with Greg Fisilau, and then Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in the 76th minute, which looked to have rescued a draw for the Chiefs.
However, after going through the motions for large parts of the second half, Bath found their title credentials again with a monster 38-phase attack to snatch the win as Arthur Green crashed over to save the game for the Champions.
Rugby writer Sam Jess takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Bath Rugby players…
15 Santi Carreras – 7
In a rare league start, Santi Carreras provided an extra spark to an attack which has been sluggish for parts of the season. The Argentine linked well with Louis Hennessey for the fullback’s try. Wasn’t used enough as first receiver through no fault of his own, but could look to get involved more
14 Henry Arundell – 5
After a poor game last week, Arundell had another quiet game other than being up ended for the red card..
13 Ollie Lawrence – 6
After a torrid showing against Northampton, Lawrence was able to find his hands and showed that once he has the ball in his grasp, he is deadly, but was unable to break through tackles, leading to getting isolated plenty of times. But he was in the right place to dot down in the corner for a try.
12 Cameron Redpath – 6
Back in the centres, Redpath linked well with Lawrence as Bath’s attack in the opening 20 minutes tore Exeter apart, but was one of many who couldn’t sustain his intent. Did well to dance through the Exeter defence to set-up the disallowed try for Spencer.
11 Will Muir – 7
In his first competitive appearance of the season, Muir was stepped early on by Olly Woodburn but recovered well. The Horse had a few moments, including a brushing run on the right-hand touchline, which saw him concuss Stephen Varney. A welcome return for the Horse, who adds another dimension to Bath’s wing attack with his ability under the high ball.
10 Finn Russell – 6
Russell had a tough start to the season, but was much sharper in attack with a much simpler game plan. However, Russell fell into his shell during the second half and looked flat.
9 Ben Spencer (c) – 6
Spencer showed much more of his control this week, with the ball in hand, while also nailing his box kicks. The scrum-half also collected his try well with a neat line.
1 Beno Obano – 7
The prop has been in great form close to the line this year and added another try to his stats, his fourth this season.
2 Tom Dunn – 7
After Bath’s showing last week, Dunn would have been one of the more vocal players during the week, and his performance this week was much better. The hooker also showed his new attacking mindset with a neat offload to Spencer 5m from the line for Lawrence’s try. He was, however, caught obstructing in a kick chase.
3 Vilikesa Sela – 7
Had a decent outing, but perhaps lacks the bite of a more experienced player.
4 Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi – 7
Making his Bath debut, Opoku-Gyamfi was a physical presence and didn’t look out of place in one of the league’s best forward packs
5 Ross Molony – 7
One of the more physical players in the side, Molony was a key cog in the game for Bath and had some decent defensive sets.
6 Ted Hill – 7
The flanker hasn’t played as much this season for a number of factors, but in a rare start, Hill showed his abrasive nature with the ball in hand. However, his work at the breakdown isn’t as impactful as it was last season.
7 Guy Pepper – 8
The flanker made a great start with a cracking cover tackle on Woodburn, while he was also a livewire and was missed when he came off. Developing into a real worldclass handful of a flanker.
8 Alfie Barbeary – 8
The eight has been great this season, particularly in defence and put in a huge shot on Immanuel Feyi-Waboso before crashing over minutes later to make it a fine start. However, a sloppy penalty on 30 minutes for hands in the ruck handed Exeter some easy field position, which the visitors converted.
Replacements:
16 Kepu Tuipulotu – 7
Miss threw his opening lineout but recovered well.
17 Scott Kirk – 6
Had a few moments, but nothing special.
18 Thomas du Toit – 6
Strange season from The Tank, still quality, but just isn’t having the mega impact he had from the bench last season.
19 Quinn Roux – 6
Had a few neat moments, but not the impact required.
20 Sam Underhill – 5
The flanker conceded a costly penalty at the breakdown and failed to make the impact necessary.
21 Tom Carr-Smith – N/A
22 Louie Hennessey – 7
Had a brief cameo in the first half and showed a clean pair of heels to set up, but didn’t get much ball in his second cameo.
23 Arthur Green – 8
Had a few neat carries and came with the try-winning score at the depth.