Exeter 38-34 Bristol: Bristol edge closer to drop

Match stats: Exeter 38-34 Bristol

Exeter tries: Woodburn (2), Parling (40), Whitten (41), Waldrom (53,77)
Conversions: Slade (3,40,42,54), Steenson (78)
Penalties: Slade (20)

Bristol tries: Hurrell (4), Woodward (12), Henson (22), Eadie (59)
Conversions: Henson (5,13,23,60)
Penalties: Henson (11,57) 

Match report

Bristol were pushed a step closer to relegation from the Aviva Premiership as they fell to a 38-34 defeat against Exeter at Sandy Park.

This latest defeat leaves them eight points behind 11th-placed Worcester with only three games remaining, so Bristol's relegation may be confirmed if they lose at home to Wasps next Sunday.

However, it was still a hugely spirited performance from Bristol against an error-ridden Exeter - and it was rough justice on the visitors that they came away with only two points. The visitors led 34-31 with only four minutes remaining before a late try from Thomas Waldrom snatched victory away from them.

Waldrom scored two tries for Exeter and there was one apiece for Olly Woodburn, Geoff Parling and Ian Whitten. Henry Slade converted all four and added a penalty, with Gareth Steenson adding a conversion.

Gavin Henson scored 17 points for Bristol with a try, three penalties and three conversions. Jason Woodward, Will Hurrell and Mitch Eadie also scored tries.

Bristol fell behind after only a minute. A chip ahead from Woodward surrendered possession and the Chiefs counter-attacked in style to set up a try for Woodburn.

Slade converted but moments later he gifted Bristol their opening try when his telegraphed pass was picked off by Hurrell, who raced 45 metres to score.

Henson converted and kicked a penalty to put Bristol in front but the visitors suffered an injury blow when flanker Jack Lam was helped off and replaced by Nick Fenton-Wells.

However they overcame this setback to stun the hosts with a second try. This time a stray pass from prop Harry Williams was seized upon by Woodward, who outpaced Jack Nowell on a 75-metre run to the line.

A careless error from Billy Searle, who knocked on an aimless up and under, gave Exeter a platform in their opponents' 22 and when Bristol were penalised at the resulting scrum, Slade kicked a penalty to leave the hosts trailing 17-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Bristol increased the pressure on the home side with a third try when a strong run from Jack Tovey and a neat pass from Gaston Cortes sent Henson over.

The visitors suffered a further blow when Ryan Bevington limped off before Chiefs' lock Mitch Lees became another injury victim.

Parling was Exeter's replacement and with the last movement of the half he scored a crucial try by forcing his way over in the corner. Slade converted and the home side were back in contention at the interval.

Within 33 seconds of the restart, Exeter were level when Whitten crossed for their third try - but the visitors had the advantage of a keen wind in the second half.

However poor kicking and the concession of frequent penalties prevented Bristol benefiting as the home pack began to take control.

After 52 minutes, Chiefs regained the lead when Waldrom finished off a line-out drive but a Henson penalty and the bonus point try from Eadie gave the visitors a 34-31 lead going into the final quarter.

Exeter brought on Steenson and Michele Campagnaro in an attempt to revive their fortunes. Henson was well short with a long distance penalty attempt and Bristol just could not hang on as Waldrom forced his way over for the winning try.

Match reaction

Bristol interim coach Mark Tainton: "We were minutes away from a famous victory as the players put in a hell of a shift and our defence was magnificent.

"When they scored an early try, it looked it could be a long afternoon but I'm frustrated that we didn't get the win.

"It's getting more and more difficult to avoid relegation but the boys aren't going to give in and we are hoping for a big crowd at Ashton Gate next Sunday against Wasps."

Bristol captain Marc Jones: "We are extremely disappointed to lose when we were ahead by such a margin (24-10) but Exeter showed great character and seem to be able to grind out the wins.

"We have three games against tough opposition but there's no reason why we shouldn't get a couple of wins if we put in a performance like that.

"We came down with a game plan and executed it well. You've got to make it personal down here as you don't want to be on the end of a stuffing.

"We picked up a couple of opportunist tries and not many teams get two points away at Sandy Park."

Exeter coach Rob Baxter: "You must give Bristol credit as they snatched every chance they had. It was a tough old game and while there were excellent individual performances from Thomas Waldrom, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Olly Woodburn, we weren't collectively at our best.

"I felt the last two games (Sale and Bristol) have been no-win games for us and we need an exciting game to challenge us

"Next Friday we are at Harlequins live on TV and hopefully that will bring the best out of us."