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Exeter pull off stunning comeback win at Bath to reach final

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CitrixNews Staff
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Exeter pull off stunning comeback win at Bath to reach final

Tries: Obano (12), du Toit (20), Cokanasiga (28), Arundell (33) Conversions: Carreras (13,21,29)

Tries: Tshiunza (25), Hammersley (51), Fisilau (56), Burger (68) Conversions: Slade (26,52) Penalties: Skinner (16)

Exeter dethroned Prem champions Bath and reached their first final since 2021 thanks to a storming second-half revival at the Rec.

The Chiefs' proud 100-per-cent record in play-off games looked certain to end as Bath made light of Finn Russell's absence to lead 26-10 at the break.

But tries from Ben Hammersley and Greg Fisilau got the visitors to within touching distance and, with Bath's Joe Cokanasiga in the sin-bin, Ethan Burger barrelled over to give his side a 27-26 victory.

Exeter will play regular-season table-toppers Northampton in the final at Twickenham next Saturday.

Bath were aiming to make a third-straight final and become just the fourth side since the introduction of the post-season play-offs to claim back-to-back titles.

Their chances looked good when they took advantage of an early yellow card for Henry Slade - for illegally halting an attacking phase - to cross twice through Beno Obano and Thomas du Toit, both converted by Santi Carreras.

Exeter were on the board through a Harvey Skinner penalty and responded to going 14-3 behind with a superb individual try from Christ Tshiunza - finished with a swallow dive - only for Cokanasiga's brute strength and a fine finish from Henry Arundell to open up a 26-10 half-time lead.

But Exeter - six from six in play-off games coming into this one - assumed control after the break and got to within four points as Hammersley finished after some good combination play involving Slade, who converted, and Fisilau then crossed.

Burger's close-range score completed the turnaround after Cokanasiga was sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-on, and Exeter survived an intense finale as Bath went through 40 phases of play in search of a winning score before prop Billy Sela was eventually held up over the line.

Originally reported by Sky Sports. Read the full story at the original source.