In a compelling display of rugby, the Exeter Chiefs reclaimed their form with a commanding 35-12 victory over Bath at Sandy Park. This Round 15 clash saw several players stepping up, signaling a return to the robust and strategic gameplay that has characterized the Chiefs at their peak.
Olly Woodburn, back from a hiatus, reminded everyone of his prowess, particularly under the high ball and with his dynamic ball handling, earning him a solid eight. Paul Brown-Bampoe, also returning, was pivotal in the aerial game, engaging in a captivating contest with Bath's Tom de Glanville and scoring a seven for his efforts.
The midfield saw Henry Slade, despite an early scare with a head knock, add flair and precision to the Chiefs' attack. His synergy with Ikitau and the wings was notable, meriting a seven. Len Ikitau, on his part, displayed a remarkable improvement from recent outings, bringing vigor to both attack and defense, which was rewarded with a try and an eight rating.
Harvey Skinner, who had a quieter first half, became instrumental after the break, accelerating the tempo and helping the Chiefs pull away decisively. His performance in the second half lifted his rating to a seven.
"His ability to inject tempo into the play was a crucial cornerstone behind this win," noted a team analyst.
In the forwards, the back row and tight five were particularly impressive. Josh Iosefa-Scott, the Man of the Match, was unstoppable, his defensive reads and charging runs earning him a nine. Captain Dafydd Jenkins was equally formidable, providing a blend of power and clever play, highlighted by a deft grubber kick that set up Ikitau’s try, earning him an eight.
The replacements played a significant role in maintaining the intensity, with Ethan Burger and Joseph Dweba among those who made impactful contributions in the latter stages of the game. Their performance underscored the depth and resilience of the Chiefs' squad.
The match not only highlighted individual brilliance but also underscored the strategic acumen of Rob Baxter’s coaching, which was evident in how well the players executed the game plan. As the season progresses, this match will likely be looked back on as a pivotal moment when the Chiefs showed that they were surging back to their formidable best.
Exeter Chiefs team list: Olly Woodburn, Paul Brown-Bampoe, Henry Slade, Len Ikitau, Campbell Ridl, Harvey Skinner, Stephen Varney, Ross Vintcent, Christ Tshiunza, Tom Hooper, Andrea Zambonin, Dafydd Jenkins (c), Josh Iosefa-Scott, Max Norey, Scott Sio, with replacements including Ethan Burger, Bachuki Tchumbadze, Joseph Dweba, and Rusi Tuima.
Bath team list was not detailed in the coverage.