Campbell Ridl boosts Exeter’s Prem playoff push with victory over Bath

• Exeter 35-12 Bath

• Fourth-placed Exeter secure bonus-point victory

The road to the Prem playoffs continues to be full of compelling twists and turns. For a while it seemed Exeter might be about to be reeled in by a Bath side renowned for their finishing strength, only for second-half tries from Paul Brown-Bampoe, Len Ikitau and Campbell Ridl and a resilient defensive effort to steer the Chiefs to one of their more pleasing league wins of the season.

With Leicester and Saracens finishing strongly and only three regular season fixtures remaining this was a game the home side could ill afford to lose and that extra edge played a part against a Bath side still feeling the effects of their disappointing Champions Cup semi-final loss in Bordeaux. As the game wore on it was Exeter who grew in confidence and this result puts them in fourth place, five points clear of Bristol in fifth.