Bristol vs Exeter: Penalty try gives Chiefs late reprieve as maintain unbeaten start continues

The Chiefs threw 11 players into a five-metre line-out and when it was collapsed, the referee marched to the posts causing heartbreak for Bristol’s players.

Exeter maintained their unbeaten start to the season (Getty)

Exeter maintained their unbeaten record in the Premiership with a last-minute penalty try as Bears were cruelly denied 31-29 in a thrilling game at Ashton Gate.

The Chiefs threw 11 players into a five-metre line-out and when it was collapsed, the referee marched to the posts causing heartbreak for Bristol’s players.

Despite Exeter outscoring them by five tries to two, Bristol were the better side as they hustled their rusty opponents with an all-action effort.

Charles Piutau and Luke Morahan scored tries for Bristol, with Callum Sheedy converting both and kicking five penalties.

Moray Low, Tom Lawday, Santiago Cordero and Jack Yeandle scored tries for Exeter before their penalty try award, with Gareth Steenson converting two.

Bristol took a fourth-minute lead with a penalty from Sheedy but the visitors soon replied with the first try of the game. A strong burst from number eight Lawday put the defence on the back foot before Low forced his way over from close range.

Steenson converted before Sheedy knocked over two penalties to give Bristol a deserved 9-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Exeter continued to infringe for Sheedy to succeed with a more difficult kick, a wide-angled shot from 45 metres, but the visitors were the more clinical in taking their chances and were rewarded with their second try.

From a line-out five metres out, the drive was halted but from the resulting ruck, Lawday saw a gap to ghost over and Exeter were level.

Three minutes before the interval, Bristol finally got the try their first-half efforts had deserved. Will Hurrell threatened with a couple of determined runs and when Exeter were penalised close to their line, Piutau caught them unawares by quickly taking a tap to force his way over.

Sheedy converted to give his side a 19-12 interval lead, which could easily have been greater had Bristol not missed a couple of clear-cut chances.

Soon after the restart, Bristol lost their captain Steven Luatua to a head injury assessment. He was replaced by George Smith but the blow did not stop the hosts’ momentum as a neatly timed pass from John Afoa provided Morahan with an easy run-in.

Sheedy fired over an excellent touchline conversion but Exeter remained in contention at 26-19 when Cordero side-stepped two players to finish in style.

Sheedy lost his exemplary kicking record by hitting a post with a penalty attempt so Exeter went into the final quarter with a seven-point lead and the game in the balance.

Yeandle barged his way over for the bonus-point try and a fifth penalty from Sheedy looked to have secured a famous victory – until that collapsed maul sealed their fate.

PA