Bath 40-34 Exeter Chiefs - Gallagher PREM result and reaction as hosts deny visitors another second-half comeback win at The Rec

Enjoy all the best bits from an absolutely pulsating contest at The Rec.

Tries from Cameron Redpath, Bernard van der Linde, Dan du Preez, Finn Russell, Ted Hill and a penalty try were enough to see the hosts over the line in a thrilling contest.

Three quick-fire tries in the second-half gave Exeter the lead in similar fashion to their semi-final win last season, but the visitors failed to keep them out as Bath went on to victory.

Bath kick-started the scoring in the 11th minute when Redpath intercepted a pass and ran the length of the pitch to score.

Six minutes later, Van der Linde dummied a pass at the breakdown and danced through a gap to extend the hosts’ lead.

Exeter hit back in the 24th minute when a good team move was finished off by Stephen Varney, but Henry Slade failed to make the conversion.

Their joy was short-lived though, as Du Preez went over in the 33rd minute, but Jack Yeandle answered back even quicker with a try two minutes later.

With the clock in the red, Bath launched a final first-half attack which saw Russell find a gap and race through to score.

It meant the first half ended 26-10 - the exact same half-time score as the semi-final less than four months ago.

After the break, Exeter came out guns blazing and scored early through Josh Iosefa-Scott.

That try was then added to by Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in the 48th minute after some individual brilliance to dance through a crowd.

The comeback was completed in the 54th minute when Feyi-Waboso ran home under the posts following good work from Will Butt.

But unlike June, Exeter couldn’t keep Bath out as the hosts were given a penalty try after Varney deliberately deflected the ball away from Joe Cokanasiga - on his 100th PREM appearance - who was set to score.

The Chiefs scrum-half saw yellow and Ted Hill scored to add to the hosts’ advantage.

Slade missed a penalty after hitting the post in the 71st minute before Henry Skinner did add three points from the boot eight minutes later.

With the clock in the red again, Exeter opted against trying for the win and kicked the ball out to end the match.

Exeter Chiefs' boss gave his thoughts on his team's display and was pleased with the overall performance.

He said: "The important thing for us is we look at the overall performance, which I was very pleased with.

"We turned up for the fight and were in it from the beginning. It was a very even first half. Second half I actually think there a couple of frustrating moments. I am massively pleased with our intent, endeavour, physicality and our desire to stay in the game. It gives us a foundation to work on."

Bath's Director of Rugby spoke to TNT Sports after the match and loved the effort shown by his full squad.

He said: ”After that semi-final [defeat to Exeter], we reviewed it immediately and put it behind us. We are enjoying this new season, new themes and new team. It was what we wanted to start well at home.

"We did some really good things in the first half, they dominated minutes 40 to 60 and we actually played really well in the last 20. We finished this game really well. Two very good sides in the Prem. We speak about intent with our bench.

"It does not always work out the way you want to. It is a 23-man game now and you have to make sure all 23 are tuned in, which they were today."

Tonight's defeat means it is two defeats from two for the Chiefs.

They host Newcastle Red Bulls next week and will be after a much-needed win.

Despite the outcome, the Devon side will take a lot from the game having achieved a storming comeback in the second-half.

Unfortunately, for them, they did not have the ability to shut Bath out for the whole half and repeat their June heroics.

Tonight's man of the match has also been speaking to TNT Sports after the full-time whistle and he opened up on his sides' half-time team talk.

He said: ”It was the same score at half-time as it was in the semi-final at the end of last season. We spoke about that at half-time.

"Exeter are an 80-minute team and we knew they were coming. Luckily we stuck at it and got the job done, despite it being a nail-biter at the end. We stick to our own processes and we are a team that focuses on ourself.”

The Bath forward has been speaking to TNT Sports after the game and he admitted their is more to come from his side this season.

He said: ”It was tough for us. First half I thought we were excellent, we started well and we wanted a fast start, which is a bit of a work-on for us.

"There was a period for 15/20 minutes in that second half where we slow and laboured, letting them back into the game. We wanted to finish well. There is a lot to work on and plenty more to come from us hopefully.”

Last season's league runners-up have now won their first two games to start the Gallagher PREM season.

And next comes an even bigger test.

They've avenged the demons of last season against Exeter but next up comes a trip to take on the reigning champions - Northampton Saints.

That is sure to be a game you won't want to miss!

Guy Pepper gets awarded with the honour.

The Bath man went off for a HIA during the game but managed to return and win a vital late penalty for his side to deny Exeter late on.

No! That is that.

Exeter decide on their own accord that two points is enough for them and end it themselves.

What a game.

Two sides who have gone all out and given their all tonight.

Exeter produced an even greater comeback than they did last season but this time their defence could not shut Bath out.

The penalty try and yellow card opened the door for Bath and they took it and got the final say.

All the post-match action comes next!

Exeter win a penalty and go for the points. Skinner takes the ball over Slade and makes it!

Will there be a big finish?

The hosts win a penalty after Exeter are caught offside.

The lineout is poor and the Chiefs steal but knock-on.

A mess and that probably seals it for Bath.

Pepper - who beat his HIA - wins a big penalty for his side.

The visitors look poised to go over but Pepper puts a stop to it and Bath clear.

Varney re-enters.

Wow! Exeter win a penalty in Bath's half and they opt for the posts.

He steps up and crashes the ball against the post - The Rec erupts!

What a miss.

From the lineout the ball is worked to Hill who powers his way through three Exeter defenders and under the posts.

A big moment in this game - can Exeter respond again?

Exeter are penalised for obstruction and Russell takes the ball and punts it to the 22 from his own half.

Three minutes remain on Varney's yellow card.

Exeter force a penalty which is rightly celebrated but the resulting lineout is a shocker.

It comes in and is deemed not to be straight - we go to a Bath scrum.

Bath take the tap-and-go and pass the to the right and as the ball is set to go to Lawrence - who is ready to go over - Varney sticks his hand out and tips the ball away to him and out into touch.

After a moment of deliberation, the ref gives the penalty try and Varney is off for 10.

Bath have possession in the Exeter 22 and have a penalty advantage.

Bath should score but Redpath knocks on with the try line just a few metres out so we go back for the penalty.

Bath ring the changes in the pack, with Frost, Griffin, Kirk, Hill and Coetzee all coming on for the home side.