Bristol Bears v Exeter Chiefs – Gallagher PREM result as late Luka Ivanishvili try seals precious win for hosts in Storm Boelo-hit derby

PREM / Regular

Ashton Gate Stadium / 24.10.2026

Bristol Bears

Finished

Exeter Chiefs

Tries

Conversions

Penalties

Drops

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Highlights

19:42

BEARS WEATHER STORM TO BEAT EXETER IN ATTRITIONAL CLASH

Bristol Bears recorded a third win from four matches in this year’s Gallagher PREM as they overcame Exeter Chiefs 20-7.

The Bears returned to Ashton Gate following a first league defeat of the season at Saracens two weeks ago.

And Storm Boelo caused havoc in the West Country derby, with driving rain and a swirling wind resulting in a host of handling errors.

It took until the 26th minute for a breakthrough, when Harry Randall threw a pass over the top for Gabriel Ibitoye to score in the corner.

‘Top finish’ - Gabriel Ibitoye fires Bristol Bears in front against Exeter Chiefs

Video credit: TNT Sports

James Williams kicked a difficult penalty minutes later to give the Bears a 10-0 lead at half-time.

Exeter came into the game in the second half, and their driving maul started to dominate proceedings, resulting in Greg Fisilau pulling a try back.

'Unstoppable' - Fisilau touches down to give Exeter Chiefs a lifeline

Video credit: TNT Sports

The visitors looked certain to score a second try, until Ibitoye turned the ball over a few metres out with minutes remaining.

That turnover saw the momentum swing, and Williams kicked Bristol six points ahead.

To make matters worse for Exeter, an Ibitoye kick caused havoc in the wet conditions, and Luka Ivanishvili drove over Bristol’s second try.

'Nails the victory down' - Ivanishvili crashes over to seal the win for Bristol against Exeter

Video credit: TNT Sports

That second try sealed the win for Bristol, and also denied Exeter a losing point.

19:30

LAM SAYS ‘MINDSET’ WAS CRUCIAL

Bristol’s director of rugby Pat Lam says that today’s game was all about mindset because of the difficult conditions.

He said: ”It really challenges your technique and your mindset.

”You have to come into these games with the right mindset because you have to front physically.

”The physicality has to be technically accurate. I was really proud of the boys.”

19:25

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11/09/2026

19:23

RANDALL: WE ‘WEATHERED STORM BRILLIANTLY’

Bristol scrum-half Harry Randall said his side ‘weathered the storm’ as they stood up against severe pressure from Exeter in the second half.

He told TNT Sports: ”We prepared for this all week.

”We talked about being physical up front and doing the things that don’t require talent today. We knew we would have to kick more and they were going to kick more in the conditions.

”I thought we weathered the storm brilliantly in that second half.”

FT'

FULL-TIME

Bristol just about did enough to secure the victory in brutal conditions. The extra points of Williams put the game out of reach and Ivanishvili try sealed the night.

The hosts run out 20-7 winners.

78'

TRY! BRISTOL BEARS 20-7 EXETER CHEIFS (IVANISHVILI)

A hopeful kick forward causes mayhem in the wet conditions. Ibitoye shows his pace to kick the ball forward but pulls up a metre short of the line.

However, Bristol continue to push and four phases later the ball is grounded by Ivanishvili. Williams adds the conversion.

'Nails the victory down' - Ivanishvili crashes over to seal the win for Bristol against Exeter

Video credit: TNT Sports

19:11

19:11

WILLIAMS ADDS SECOND PENALTY

Bristol don’t have the momentum so decide to give Williams the chance to kick his second penalty of the evening. It’s not an easy one but he kicks it over to make it 13-7.

74'

IBITOYE TURNS BALL OVER

It’s a key moment as Ibitoye grabs the ball as Exeter tried to break out from the maul. A try and a crucial challenge on a good day for the winger.

72'

CHIEFS PEN OPPOSITION BACK

Exeter have kicked two penalties to the corner as they have faith in the maul. They could have kicked themselves level in the match.

69'

NEW PROPS FOR CHEIFS

A change in the visitors' pack as Abuladze is off for Burger; and Roots comes for Iosefa-Scott.

Caulfield comes on for Bristol, replacing Batley comes off

67'

MOODY DEBUT

The former Exeter player makes his Bristol debut and comes on for Gwilliam

65'

RARE ERROR FOR RANDALL

Hammersley sends a nice kick over the top and then chases the ball. With his opponent in the corner of his eye Randall drops the ball as he attempts to return it.

62'

VINCENT IN PAIN

Exeter have all the momentum now and their pack looks the strongest. The Chiefs are about to lose the injured Vincent as the flanker looks in pain.

Vincent is replaced by James

58'

CHANGES FOR BOTH SIDES

Bristol: Genge off for Woolmore; Chawatama off for Halliwell; Ivanishvili on for Grondona.

Exeter: Varney on for Wolstenholme; Wimbush for Harris

53'

TRY! BRISTOL BEARS 10-7 EXETER CHEIFS (FISILAU)

Two driving mauls prove key for Exeter. The first one was illegally pulled down. From the resulting penalty and line-out the driving maul is too strong and Fisilau grounds the ball. The conversion by Slade is good.

'Unstoppable' - Fisilau touches down to give Exeter Chiefs a lifeline

Video credit: TNT Sports

51'

SLADE COMES CLOSE

A lovely kick through by Wolstenholme right under the sticks causes a moment of mayhem. Two Bristol defenders fail to get their hands on it and then Slade narrowly avoids grounding the ball before it slips away.

47'

PAT LAM: ABOUT GIVING NOTHING AWAY

Bristol boss Pat Lam says that accuracy is ‘the most important thing’ in the difficult conditions at Ashton Gate.

There is a break in play for a nasty looking injury.

45'

GENGE ALMOST SCORES LOVELY EFFORT

It was a deft kick by Genge past the last defender and he chased it into the whitewash. However, the ball dropped away from him and skidded out of play. It would have been a beautiful try by the big man.

44'

BRISTOL ARE ‘WINNING’ KICKING BATTLE

TNT Sports pundit Sam Warburton believes that Bristol are edging this clash by gaining the most ground in the kicking battle.

41'

BACK UNDERWAY

The players are back out at a wet and cold Ashton Gate. They are at least making humour of the conditions.

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