by Bristol Bears 14 Exeter Chiefs 24
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is hardly a name that slips off the tongue easily. But the talented young winger was easy on the eye as he shone brightly in Exeter Chiefs’ win at Ashton Gate.
The 21-year-old raced over for a fine try to help his side overcome Bristol Bears and Chiefs rise to the summit of the Premiership. Jacques Vermeulen’s crossbar effort three minutes from time earned a bonus-point victory for the Devon men who once again showed they are serious title contenders despite the massive turnover of playing personnel last summer.
Both sides went into the competition on the back of morale-boosting league wins. Bears had returned to winning ways against Gloucester and Newcastle and Chiefs produced one of their best displays to crush Leicester at Sandy Park. Despite the rain and windy conditions it was always going to be an open contest between two sides always keen to throw the ball around and play attacking rugby at every opportunity.
Bears led 14-12 at half-time but it was the visitors who started with more energy, positivity and energy, and quickly asserted themselves from close range as prop Josh Iosefa-Scott plowed his way over. Bears had little response to his powerful surge in the eighth minute, and Henry Slade slotted home the easy conversion. Not many came forward quickly from Ross Vintcent who broke clear, kicked through and chased the ball down with great speed for a man of his size.
However, the threat was ended by a penalty against the wing as he tried to stop the Bears defense clearing the danger. The hosts came back loud and powerful with a driving maul pushing the Merchants forward back over their own line, hooker Gabriel Oghre claiming the scores. Callum Sheedy put things right with his conversion, and the promise of a bucket of points was fulfilled. Feyi-Waboso then ran over in the right corner and followed up with a quick move across the Chief’s back.
It was an electrifying start with three tries in the opening 21 minutes and you felt it was going to continue to be a blowout, and whoever managed to score the most hits would win in the long run. Feyi-Waboso showed again why Wales and England are keeping close to their stride with another strong run into the Bears’ half, going past a couple of defenders before being hauled to the ground.
He was born in Wales and has trained with the national team but is also eligible to play for England and Steve Borthwick was watching at Ashton Gate, and would have made a strong note from his seat in the crowd . Borthwick had a certain Ellis Genge for company and the two were deep in conversation at times during the first half. The Bristol prop could be in line to take over the captaincy for the Six Nations as Owen Farrell decides to step away from the international spotlight for a while.
Exeter found it relatively easy to make breaks towards the Bristol line, but the hosts were always able to strike from distance, and a fierce break from center Benhard Janse van Rensburg set up a fine try. The ball eventually passed into the hands of youngster Noah Heward who took to the air to dive brilliantly into the right corner. The 23-year-old has flourished since his move from Worcester Warriors, and provided a cutting, clinical finish before Sheedy’s brilliant touchline conversion gave the Bears the advantage at the break.
The leaders responded brilliantly with the excellent Feyi-Waboso providing another big boost through the Bears defence. It was stopped inches from the line, but flyer Stu Townsend was on hand to pick the ball up and cross to deposit it on the line. hitting a sudden halt to the Bears attack. The Chiefs almost extended their lead when hurler Dan Frost tried to power over the line.
However, the home defense stood firm and were awarded a penalty due to the forward’s angry reaction to some bait from his opponent. Bears tried their best to find a way through the solid white wall of jerseys against them but were often met with resolute defense. Eventually, it was left to Vermeulen to reach the final for a crucial fourth try that put the game over Bristol. Slade’s conversion sealed a fine victory.
Data matching
Scores: 0-5, Iosefa-Scott, 0-7, Slade, 5-7, Oghr, 7-7, Sheedy, 7-12, Feyi-Waboso, 12-12, Heward, 14-12, Sheedy, 14-17, Townsend, 14-22, Vermeulen, 14-24, Slade
Bristol: Malins, Heward, Vakatawa, Janse Van Rensburg, Lane, Sheedy, Randall, Lahiff, Oghre, Sinckler, Dun, Batley, Luatua, D. Thomas, Bradbury.
Replacements: Ravouvou for Vakatawa (74), Williams for Sheedy (74), Marmion for Randall (74), Woolmore for Lahiff (41), Capon for Oghre (68), Kloska for Sinckler (68), Caulfield for Dun (66), Owen for D. Thomas (79).
Exeter: Hammersley, Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Devoto, Woodburn, Skinner, Townsend, Abuladze, Frost, Iosefa-Scott, Tuima, Jenkins, Roots, Vincent, Fisilau.
Replacements: Hawkins for Devoto (57), Wimbush for Woodburn (61), Cairns for Townsend (79), Hepburn for Abuladze (55), Norey for Frost (55), Street for Iosefa-Scott (55), Pearson for Tuima (58) , Vermeulen for Vincent (58).
Sin bin: Townsend (45).
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU).
