The Prem semi-final: Bath 26-27 Exeter – Chiefs fight back in Bath to reach final

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the bath (26) 26

Try: Obano, Du Toit, Cockanasiga, Arundel Disadvantages: Running 3

Exeter (10) 27

Try: Tshiunza, Hammersley, Fisilau, Burger Disadvantages: Slade 2 pen: Skinner

Exeter Chiefs produced a brilliant second-half turnaround to stun defending champions Bath 27-26 at the Recreation Ground and reach their first Loves final since 2021.

Chiefs became just the second team to win a semi-final away from home in the last decade and will travel to the Allianz Stadium next Saturday to face Northampton Saints in their bid for a seventh title in their history.

Exeter trailed 26-10 at the break but scored 17 unanswered points in the second half as Ben Hammersley, Greg Fisilau and Ethan Berger all crossed as Bath fell apart and Joe Cocanasiga was sent to the sin-bin.

Bath had a chance to win the match in the dying minutes and crossed more than 40 steps just in front of Exeter’s try line, but instead of a drop goal they were eventually held over the line and their season ended abruptly.

More to follow.

the bath: of Glanville; Cocanasiga, Lawrence, Ozomoh, Arundel; Spencer (C), Racing; Obano, Dunn, Red Roof, Ewells, Bayliss, Underhill, Burberry.

replacement: Tuipulotu, Van Wyk, Sela, Molony, Hill, Van der Linde, Redpath, Reid.

Sin-bin: Cocanasiga (64 minutes)

Exeter: Nuts; Brown-Bumpo, Slade, Ikitau, Riddle; Skinner, Vernie; Cio, Norrey, Joseph-Scott, Jenkins (C), Jambonin, Hooper, Schionza, Fisilau.

replacement: Dweba, Burger, Tchumbadze, Tuima, Vincent, Cairns, Wimbush, Hammersley.

Sin-bin: Slade (10).

the referee: Christopher Ridley.