Burger the hero as Exeter stun champions Bath
MATCH REPORT: Exeter Chiefs produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in Premiership history to stun Bath 27-26 at The Rec after South African Ethan Burger scored a 68th-minute try as the Exeter Chiefs ended Bath’s reign as English Premiership champions and book their place in next week’s Premiership final at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
Trailing 10-26 at half-time and seemingly heading out of the title race, the Chiefs mounted a sensational second-half fightback to snatch victory and become the first team in five years to win an away Premiership semifinal.
Bath appeared to have one foot in the final after a dominant opening 40 minutes, but Exeter gradually wrestled control of the contest after the break. As momentum swung decisively in the visitors’ favour, Bath struggled to find answers and watched their commanding lead evaporate.
The result extended Exeter’s extraordinary semifinal record to seven wins from seven appearances, while they also became only the seventh team to win a Premiership semi-final away from home in 45 matches.
Bath still had opportunities to seal the result late on but were unable to land the decisive blow as Exeter completed a comeback that will rank among the club’s greatest victories.
“I’ve not got words to describe that, it’s mental,” said Exeter flyhalf Harvey Skinner after the final whistle.
“We showed great character. Bath took it to us for 20 minutes and we went a man down, but the key message was ‘don’t stop believing’.
“The boys showed some great fight, we stuck at it and we came good in the end.”
Exeter will now face Northampton Saints in next Saturday’s Premiership final at Twickenham.
Scorers:
For Bath:
Tries: Obano, Du Toit, Cokanasiga, Arundell
Cons: Carreras 3
For Exeter:
Tries: Tshiunza, Hammersley, Fisilau, Burger
Cons: Slade 2
Pens: Skinner
Teams
Bath: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14. Joe Cokanasiga, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 12. Max Ojomoh, 11. Henry Arundell, 10. Santi Carreras, 9. Ben Spencer (c), 8. Alfie Barbeary, 7. Sam Underhill, 6. Josh Bayliss, 5. Charlie Ewels, 4. Quinn Roux, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Tom Dunn, 1. Beno Obano.
Replacements: 16. Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17. Francois van Wyk, 18. Vilikesa Sela, 19. Ross Molony, 20. Ted Hill, 21. Bernard van der Linde, 22. Cameron Redpath, 23. Miles Reid.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Olly Woodburn, 14. Paul Brown-Bampoe, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Len Ikitau, 11. Campbell Ridl, 10. Harvey Skinner, 9. Stephen Varney, 8. Greg Fisilau, 7. Christ Tshiunza, 6. Tom Hooper, 5. Andrea Zambonin, 4. Dafydd Jenkins (c), 3. Josh Iosefa-Scott, 2. Max Norey, 1. Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16. Joseph Dweba, 17. Ethan Burger, 18. Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19. Rusi Tuima, 20. Ross Vintcent, 21. Tom Cairns, 22. Zack Wimbush, 23. Ben Hammersley.
Referee: Christophe Ridley
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson & Sara Cox
TMO: Andrew Jackson
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