By Sam Jess
Bath returned to the top of the table with a rusty 19-15 win over a winless Exeter. A bright start saw Guy Pepper grab his first try in a Bath shirt but Exeter hit back with Jacques Vermeulen try and then a Henry Slade penalty to give the visitors a shock halftime lead at 8-7.
Bath again scored first to start the second-half with Miles Reid crashing over before a Niall
Annett try seven minutes from time secured unconvincing win.
1. Thomas du Toit – 6
Playing in his lesser favoured position, Du Toit showed his power with some brutal carries, but
his scrum work at loosehead was not the same consistency as when wearing the 3 shirt with a
few penalties going against the prop.Improved when he shifted back to the tighthead.
2. Tom Dunn – 5
Having been rested during the entirety of the Premiership Cup, the hooker was looking to make
an immediate impact on his return, but the usual steady lineout became a weakness as Bath
failed to launch much from the set-piece.
3. Will Stuart – 5
After a strong Autumn, Stuart looked tired and lacklustre with a few mistakes, including one of
many drops in the first half from the Bath side.
4. Quinn Roux – 5
Returning after a month break, Roux’s usual strong lineout work was under pressure earlier with some uncharacteristic drops.
5. Charlie Ewels – 6
Well below his best, particularly at lineout time but showed his power and physicality
throughout.
6. Ted Hill – 6
Having not seen a sniff of rugby for England during the Autumn, Hill was back on the pitch and
showed Borthwick his skills with some powerful yet abrasive carries. His evening, however,
took a dip when he took Stu Townsend high and was sent to the bin. A lineout steal close the
Exeter line was a crucial moment to keep Exeter at bay.
7. Guy Pepper – 8
Joining from Newcastle in the summer, there were question marks over how much game time
the flanker would get, but so far, he has added plenty and continued his fine form with a great
try. A turnover when his side needed it most, and it was a bright game. Was named man of the
match by TNT.
8. Miles Reid – 7
It was not his best, but Reid is not the same youngster from a few years ago, and despite not
having many attacking moments, the eighth showed physicality.
9. Ben Spencer (c)- 7
Fresh from a mixed campaign with England, Spencer was his usual reliable self with some neat
breaks as well as some pinpoint kicking, although his pace may not be what it used to be as
Exeter were able to cut him down during his line breaks. Also saw yellow for a tipped pass.
10. Finn Russell – 7
The flair may not have been there, but Russell has a lot more to his game now and kicked Bath
into some handy positions and eventually found some nice passes in the final 10 minutes.
11. Will Muir – 7
The winger was a busy man in what was a chaotic game for the ‘Horse’. With almost every
box kick landing on his wing, he had a busy first half, contesting kicks with Immanuel
Feyi-Waboso. A great and intuitive break to start the second half set up Bath’s second try as
his pass found Spencer on the inside.
12. Will Butt – 6
After bursting back onto the scene this season, Butt was quite as like much of his fellow Bath
side he could not find his rhythm.
13. Ollie Lawrence – 6
After a fairly quiet Autumn despite playing every game for England, Lawrence’s lack of
chances continued for most of the game with limited touches. However, when he did finally get
the ball in space, the centre broke the line with ease but dropped the ball trying to force an
offload.
14. Joe Cokanasiga – 7
A pretty decent game from Cokanasiga, if not amazing, as his few touches of the ball were
strong but limited.
15. Tom de Glanville – 5
After a bright start, Tom de Glanville made a very poor error after initially catching a highball,
allowing Exeter some easy field position. Despite improving his handling in the later stages, De
Glanville looked rusty and put some very poor kicks on display.
Replacements:
16. Niall Annett – 7
Came on and helped improve a misfiring lineout, which in the end earned him a rolling maul
try.
17. Francois van Wyk – 6
Steadied Bath’s scrum up, which had been inconsistent during the match.
18. Kieran Verden – N/A
19. Ross Molony – N/A
20. Josh Bayliss – 7
In a game that lacked pace and attacking moments, the Scot continued his fine form from the
Autumn and gave his side some momentum and attacking flair with a great showing.
21. Louis Schreuder – N/A
22. Cameron Redpath – 7
Added some impetus into the match when his side needed it.
23. Alfie Barbeary – N/A
This man has no luck; moments after coming on, Barbeary was subbed back off with a head
injury.
