Penalty try helps Exeter remain unbeaten
MATCH REPORT: A last-gasp penalty try gave Exeter Chiefs a stunning comeback win over Bristol Bears that keeps them unbeaten and top of the Premiership Rugby table.
Charles Piutau scored a try on his league debut for Pat Lam’s hosts who looked like they had done enough to secure a famous win the West Country.
But Rob Baxter’s Chiefs never know when they are beaten and a late Jack Yeandle try set up the grandstand finish as the Chiefs pack marched on.
The boot of Callum Sheedy was crucial for the hosts in the first half, slotting four penalties and along with Piutau’s try – a quick tap and go from five metres out – the Bears were in front 19-12.
The Chiefs’ first-half scores came from Moray Low and Tom Lawday – the former barrelling over from short range and the latter cleverly carrying through the middle of a ruck to dot down.
After the break, John Afoa’s delightful no-look pass put Luke Morahan over in the right corner and the Bears were looking superb.
But Santiago Cordero cut back off his right wing to begin the Chiefs revival – although Sheedy added another penalty for the hosts.
And when Yeandle went over from a clever lineout move at the front the Chiefs had closed the cap still further.
And it was a rolling maul that finished the job for Baxter’s men as referee Greg Macdonald went under the posts to award the penalty try.
The scorers:
For Bristol:
Tries: Piutau, Morahan
Cons: Sheedy 2
Pens: Sheedy 5
For Exeter:
Tries: Low, Lawday, Cordero, Yeandle, Penalty try
Cons: Steenson 2
Bristol Bears: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 Will Hurrell, 11 Ryan Edwards, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Nick Haining, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Steve Luatua, 5 Aly Muldowney, 4 Ed Holmes, 3 John Afoa, 2 Shaun Malton, 1 Yann Thomas
Replacements:16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 Lewis Thiede, 19 Joe Joyce, 20 George Smith, 21 Harry Randall, 22 Tiff Eden, 23 Sam Bedlow
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Alex Cuthbert, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Stuart Townsend, 8 Tom Lawday, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Don Armand, 5 Mitch Lees, 4 Ollie Atkins, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Jack Yeandle (captain), 1 Moray Low
Replacements:16 Elvis Taione, 17 Billy Keast, 18 Marcus Street, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Dave Dennis, 21 Nic White, 22 Joe Simmonds, 23 Sam Hill
Referee: Greg Macdonald
Assistant referees: Jonathan Healy, Steve Lee
TMO: Stuart Terheege
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