Title favourites Bath moved 15 points clear at the Gallagher Premiership summit after they staved off Exeter’s rousing second-half fightback to post a 26-24 victory.
British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell looked on at Sandy Park as Bath moved into cruise control through a first-half scoring burst of three tries in five minutes.
But Exeter, 16 points adrift by half-time, rallied through wing Paul Brown-Bampoe’s try double which raised the possibility of an upset.
Bath ultimately prevailed courtesy of a penalty try and touchdowns by Niall Annett, Josh Bayliss and Will Muir, while Finn Russell kicked two conversions.
It was far from plain-sailing as Bath failed to score after midway through the second quarter and saw Muir and centre Max Ojomoh suffer serious-looking injuries.
Fixture
Gallagher Premiership
Exeter Chiefs
Bath
Bath’s victory took them to within touching distance of securing a play-off place with four regular season games still remaining, and they should secure that prize against Recreation Ground visitors Newcastle next weekend.
Van Graan made 10 changes from the side which beat EPCR Challenge Cup opponents Gloucester last time out, including all eight starting forwards, and Exeter monopolised initial possession and territory.
Slade kicked them ahead through a 35-metre penalty, but the Chiefs’ strong early work was undone when captain Dafydd Jenkins tackled his opposite number Ben Spencer from an offside position in an attempt to stop him touching down.
Referee Anthony Woodthorpe viewed several replays before awarding Bath a penalty try and issuing Wales international Jenkins with a yellow card as the visitors led 7-3.
Exeter’s temporary numerical disadvantage did not disrupt them, and they regained the lead with Yeandle’s 19th-minute try after number eight Greg Fisilau ran a short-range penalty, before Slade converted.
Jenkins then rejoined the action, but he was powerless to prevent Bath from driving a five-metre line-out as Annett claimed a try which put the visitors back in front.
Bath now had the bit between their teeth and a flowing move that heavily involved full-back Tom de Glanville stretched Exeter’s defence in all directions before Bayliss scored.
Russell converted from the touchline and then repeated the feat two minutes later after Bayliss and Spencer combined to set up Muir for Bath’s bonus-point try and a 26-10 interval advantage.
Exeter had to absorb sustained pressure early in the second period, but they did it impressively and then reduced the deficit after full-back Josh Hodge’s sharp break led to Brown-Bampoe scoring. Slade converted.
Bath had lost some of their earlier momentum as Van Graan turned to the bench, sending on six forwards in a mass substitution which included Will Stuart, Ted Hill and Alfie Barbeary joining the action.
Exeter were on a roll, though, and Brown-Bampoe completed a quickfire double, with Slade’s conversion making it a two-point game entering the final quarter.
It was a distinctly uncomfortable spell for Bath and Exeter had a late attacking scrum after wing Ruaridh McConnochie knocked on behind his own line, but the visitors prevailed.
