Bristol Bears 14-24 Exeter Chiefs: Rob Baxter’s men net bonus-point win in Gallagher Premiership

Exeter Chiefs moved top of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby table – at least for one night – thanks to a bonus-point win at West Country rivals Bristol Bears.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored one try and had a major role in two others, as Exeter won an entertaining game where all the scoring came from tries and conversions.

After the teams traded tries off the back of lineouts early on, Feyi-Waboso rounded off a great team move to restore Exeter’s lead, only for Noah Heward to acrobatically touch down shortly before the break and give Bristol a half-time lead.

The Bears would not score again, however, and a late score gave Exeter their bonus point and ultimately the victory.

With 33 points, Exeter are now a point ahead of Bath in the table having played a game more.

Bristol stay seventh with 21 points, but by not getting a losing bonus point in front of more than 24,000 at Ashton Gate, their play-off hopes have taken a hit.

This was supposed to be a bridge year for Exeter, a young team in transition after losing a series of stars. Instead they are top of the Premiership, having also just registered marquee European wins in Toulon and over Munster, and looking like serious title contenders.

That they could make seven changes and still pick up a bonus-point win at a local rival speaks to the strength in depth they possess. The manner in which they managed the game was not typical of a young side and speaks to how used to winning they are. Exeter are in impressive shape heading into 2024 and beyond.

Feyi-Waboso was brilliant with the ball in his hands, scoring one try and setting up two more with solo breaks. He also shone in defence and by kicking into space on at least one occasion, showing there are layers to his game.

Expect a tug-of-war between Wales and England for Feyi-Waboso’s international allegiance to commence, although he brushed off a question on the subject after the match.

Bristol Bears: Malins 6, Heward 8, Vakatawa 7, Janse van Rensburg 7, Lane 5, Sheedy 5, Randall 6; Lahiff 5, Oghre 6, Sinckler 6, Dun 5, Batley 6, Luatua 6, Thomas 6, Bradbury 5.

Replacements: Capon 6, Woolmore 6, Caulfield 5, Owen 5, Marmion 5, Williams 5, Ravouvou 5.

Exeter Chiefs: Hammersley 6, Feyi-Waboso 9, Slade, 7 Devoto 6, Woodburn 7, Skinner 6, Townsend 5; Abuladze 6, Frost 5, Iosefa-Scott 7, Tuima 6, Jenkins 6, Roots 6, Vintcent 7, Fisilau 7.

Replacements: Norey 6, Hepburn 6, Pearson 6, Vermeulen 8, Cairns 5, Hawkins 5, Wimbush 5.

TRY! BRISTOL 0-7 EXETER (IOSEFA-SCOTT) 7′ – Exeter win their own lineout five metres out, get quick ball, and in the second phase Iosefa-Scott drives over with a little help from his friends.

TRY! BRISTOL 7-7 EXETER (OGHRE) 12′ – Bristol bounce back brilliantly. First, Sheedy nails a penalty kick for touch, giving the Bears a lineout five metres out. Next they secure the ball, send the centres into the maul and rumble over the try line.

TRY! BRISTOL 7-12 EXETER (FEYI-WABOSO) 22′ – Exeter get the ball into their backs’ hands and produce a wonderful try! Woodburn runs a great line, making a line break and drawing multiple defenders in, before popping off to Hammersley who in turn passes to Feyi-Waboso – wide on the right – and he finishes really well.

TRY! BRISTOL 14-12 EXETER (HEWARD) 37′ – Playing with an advantage, Vakatawa bats the ball on to Janse van Rensburg, he throws a pass immediately and Heward, hugging the touchline, goes aerial to score. Brilliant rugby, and Sheedy’s conversion means Bristol lead.

TRY! BRISTOL 14-17 EXETER (TOWNSEND) 42′ – Feyi-Waboso makes a brilliant break, is stopped mere inches from the try line, but Townsend has a dart himself straight after and scores.

TRY! BRISTOL 14-24 EXETER (VERMEULEN) 76′ – Exeter have a bonus point and maybe the win wrapped up! After Feyi-Waboso gets close with a dart and leg drive, Vermeulen goes over with a push from Hammersley.

• Bristol had a 100% success rate from their own lineouts and scrums.
• Exeter had less possession, but gained 412 metres in the match compared to Bristol’s 254. Exeter also had thrice as many clean breaks, with nine.
• Exter’s Henry Slade is up to 91 points this season, the most in the Premiership.