Barbeary double has Bath in joyful mood

IT’S certainly been a bleak few years for Bath, but with Christmas on the horizon the festive cheer was certainly flowing back around the famous old Rec.

- MARK STEVENS

Johann van Graan’s side moved impressively back into the top two of the Gallagher Premiership, brushing aside the attentions of West Country rivals, Exeter Chiefs.

Alfie Barbeary led the way for the Blue, Black & Whites, claiming two of their six tries, while there were further touchdowns for Cameron Redpath, Ben Spencer, Joe Cokanasiga and Will Butt.

The youthful Chiefs held their own for an hour at least, but it was their indiscipline which came back to haunt them in the final shake-up. Tries from Henry Slade, Stu Townsend and Ehren Painter were their highlights on the day, but that was all they could muster as their away-day woes emerged once more.

But while it was disappointment for the Devonians, it was joy all round for Bath and van Graan, who said: “Exeter are a team I respect a lot and we knew this was going to be a battle. We started really well, got 12-0 up, before they came back into it. We spoke at half-time about having a 23-man effort and managing the big moments, which I felt we did very well in the second half.