Exeter suffered a seventh in a row Prime Minister Gallagher defeat of the season as Bath regained top spot with a 19-15 victory at the Recreation Ground.

It wasn’t a game that will be remembered for long, but Bath had enough to thwart Exeter and leave them stuck in the basement of the Premiership.

Flanker Guy Peppernumber eight Miles Reid and replacement whore Niall Annett scored tries for Bath, with the fly-half Finn Russell adding two conversions, although a vastly improved performance will be required in their next match against Investec Champions Cup opponents of La Rochelle.

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Exeter often belied their league position as Jacques Vermuelen crossed for a try and Henry Slade kicked a penalty, staying in the contest until Annett’s score 13 minutes from time finished them off, although number eight Greg Fisilau’s effort in the 80th minute which Slade converted earned a bonus of defeat.

The Chiefs remain the only Premiership team this season without a league win, and they are already 18 points off the play-off places.

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Prime Minister Gallagher

Bath

Exeter Chiefs

Bath, however, have no such concerns, pushing their west country rivals Bristol in second place without reaching the top gear remotely.

England wing Emmanuel Feyi-Wabosomaking his first appearance since suffering a concussion in the autumn test defeat to Australia, conceded a third-minute penalty following a late tackle on fellow international and Bath scrum-half Ben Spencer.

This allowed Bath to establish a territorial hold, and they took the lead four minutes later when Pepper took the lead through a free-flowing lineout possession, with Russell converting.

Exeter weathered the early storm, however, and a long kick from Slade gave them a platform to attack through their forwards before Vermeuelen crossed from close range.

Bath then saw the flank Ted Hill yellow card from referee Sara Cox following a head-on collision with the Exeter scrum-half Stu Townsendand the home team had to absorb considerable pressure, although Chefs I couldn’t make it count.

Bath also struggled in the air competition, where Exeter thrived, and skipper Vermeulen led a strong effort to remedy the breakdown.

Exeter’s greater cohesion was rewarded just before half-time when Slade scored a penalty, giving his side an 8-7 advantage at the interval.

Bath needed just four minutes of the second half to get back in front, and it was Reid who went over after a radical attack involving Spencer and the winger. William Muir putting the Chiefs on the back foot.

But Exeter came back, setting up camp in Bath’s 22 after Spencer was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on that disrupted a floated pass to Feyi-Waboso.

However, Chiefs overturned the resulting lineout and Bath escaped while Exeter had only themselves to blame for wasting a golden scoring chance.

Bath regained some of their determination and vigor in the final quarter, and they wrapped up the points when Annett touched down after a dynamic lineout.

Russell kicked the conversion, and there was no way back for Exeter despite Fisilau’s consolation, as they now have to pick themselves up for a first Champions Cup test match against Sharks in South Africa.