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'It was a terrible feeling being here 2 weeks ago and coming up short'
By PA
Bath boss Johann van Graan described his side’s 26-14 bonus-point victory at Exeter as their best win of the season.
Exeter had beaten Bath 21-15 in the Champions Cup at Sandy Park a fortnight ago but Van Graan’s men avenged that loss with an impressive victory that sees them take a big step towards securing a Premiership play-off spot.
Alfie Barbeary, Max Ojomoh, Miles Reid and Ben Spencer scored Bath’s tries to leave them in second place in the standings and director of rugby Van Graan was delighted with the performance.
He said: “It’s our best win of the season as it was a terrible feeling being here two weeks ago and coming up short in a big match.
“It’s a tough place to come as Exeter don’t lose here. We haven’t won here since 2016 so we had to put in a performance for the whole 80 minutes.
“Following the defeat here last time, we made one or two changes in selection and tactical calls.
“Being second, we are in a good position but we have to take everything week by week and give Saracens the respect they deserve ahead of next Friday’s fixture but the important thing is that we are still improving.”
Olly Woodburn and Stu Townsend touched down for Exeter’s tries but defeat keeps them in sixth spot – nine points behind Bath – and facing an uphill task to reach the play-offs, with a home fixture against Harlequins and trips to Leicester and Gloucester still to come.
Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “We are not completely out of it but now we definitely have to win all three games. We came up short today but we are still knocking on the door.
“Unlike the European game, Bath made things go their own way today by 100 per cent capitalising on every error and some of their last-ditch defence was tremendous.
“I’m disappointed as we could have played better. We were a little error-strewn and weren’t focused in the right areas.
“They got under our skin in the first half by staying in our faces and we got distracted as at one stage, the penalty count was 7-2 against us with four or five of those penalties being needless and silly interactions.”
Baxter, whose side were heavily beaten by Toulouse in the Champions Cup quarter-finals last weekend, added: “Obviously having to play two European games and this one with a short turnaround took its toll on a basically young side, which has little or no experience in coping with that scenario.”
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Latest Comments
I was at this match. Jordie Barrett earned his money with a massive hit to slow a connaught attack to win the math when Leinster had 14 in the last few mins. Mack Hansen had a real go at the refereeing after citing a serious head hits on Iaone and Aki.
connaught were up for this. Snyman tried a trademark dirty after, and the onnaught 4 and the onnaught pack absolutely laid into him.
Leinster hose to kick to the corner when only winning by 5 with 10 left and qith only 2 tries scored. onnaught should have punisihed them for that utter stupidity after they broke out and Leinster yellowed to stop the attack.
13 changes from last week. It seems teams are scoring about 10 points less against Leinster this year. With Neinaber in his second year, the new attack coah established, surely they will be a bigger threat in champions up? Or will the attack recgress further.
They must adopt the SA philosophy of take your 3 pointers and the bonus points will come.
connaught back line inluding Iaone, Murphy, Aki, Forde, cordero is the seond best in Ireland surely. Leinster were lucky here
Go to commentsShould have played more for England but he jumped ship just as he was breaking through.
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