Bath battle past Exeter Chiefs to go top of Aviva Premiership

Bath won this afternoon's battle between second and third with a 31-14 victory over the Exeter Chiefs to go temporarily top of the Aviva Premiership.

George Ford missed the first penalty of the game shortly after the 20-minute mark for the hosts and Exeter went down the other end to open the scoring moments later through a Matt Jess converted try.

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Bath were back on level terms five minutes later following Horacio Agulla's score and they took a seven-point lead at half time thanks to Kyle Eastmond going over, with Ford converting both.

Jack Nowell brought the Chiefs level with an early try in the second half, but that was as good as it got for the visitors.

Dave Attwood's converted score in the 51st minute restored Bath's seven-point lead and they stretched it to double figures not long after through a Ford penalty.

They secured a bonus point late on with their fourth try when Anthony Watson streaked clear to touch down.

Bath make it six wins out of six at the Recreation Ground and go top for the time being. If Northampton Saints fail to beat Harlequins later this afternoon, Bath will hold on to first place after 11 games.