With the visitors 20 points adrift, the winger lifted his side to a memorable victory against the winless Chiefs.
Not since 2014 have Rob Baxter's side lost five successive league games, this includes one from the end of last term, but these are tough times for the Devonians, who had looked to be in the box seat following a brace of tries from wingers Paul Brown-Bampoe and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
The Bears have been in sparkling form on the road and they showed all their fight and desire which augurs well for them this season.
It was a gutsy perfor mance from Pat Lam's side, who also claimed scores from Kieran Marmion, Joe Batley and Gabriel Oghre.
Defeated in their opening three games, the Chiefs didn't look like a side who were short of confidence. They were quickly into their attacking rhythm, dominating the early exchanges with a succession of raids into enemy territory which led to an infringement by hooker Oghre which gave Hodge a shot at goal, and the ball cannoned in off the post on nine minutes.
Denne historien er fra October 13, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 13, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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A humble hero who had a big heart ...
A DARK cloud of sorrow has been hovering above St Thomas’ Church at the east end of Swansea this Christmas over the loss of one of its most beloved disciples, Geoff Wheel.
Firefighter Konkel turning the heat up for Harlequins
FIREFIGHTER Jade Konkel has ignited a Harlequins title charge following a run of miserable successive seasons for the 2020/21 winners.
Quins finish year at the top of the pile
HARLEQUINS went top of the Premiership Women’s Rugby with victory in Big Game 16 at the Allianz Stadium.
Pirates are on course to make it five in a row
CORNISH Pirates are riding a wave of momentum looking for their fifth consecutive Championship win when they visit strugglers Ampthill today.
Nottingham take their chances to silence Cov
A THRILLING display of high-tempo attacking rugby in which wingers Ryan Olowofela and David Williams played prominent roles earned Nottingham a bonus-point success over Midlands rivals Coventry.
Itoje: Life's taken turn for the better under Borthwick
ENGLAND and Saracens lock Maro Itoje has claimed that the ‘atmosphere and experience’ of playing for the national team has improved under Steve Borthwick compared to life under former head coach Eddie Jones, adding that some of the practices Jones employed to get the best out of his players were ‘unnecessary’.
Varndell: Lam has put flair into Bears
WHEN it comes to scoring tries in Premiership Rugby, few players have struck fear into opposition defences quite like Tom Varndell.
Let's hope Brizball can stay in fashion
THIS is not obviously the time to be talking balls – the Twickenham elite have cornered that particular market – but the question demands to be asked: is Brizball the union game’s version of Bazball?
Roots looking to find his old form
ETHAN Roots started 2024 with a bang, man of the match in Italy on his England debut, but his year ended with more of a splutter.
Dragons still can't get better of Cardiff
DRAGONS’ nightmare run against their fiercest rivals continued as they fell to their 19th consecutive defeat, having not beaten them since Boxing Day 2014.
