Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Exeter Chiefs 35-40 Bristol Bears

Exeter Chiefs 35-40 Bristol Bears, Sandy Park

Exeter Chiefs suffered a heartbreaking 38-36 defeat to Bristol Bears after leading for most of the match at Sandy Park.

Despite dominating for 65 minutes, the Chiefs were overrun in the final quarter as Bristol mounted a stunning comeback with four tries in the last 15 minutes to snatch victory during the Gallagher Premiership’s Derby Weekend.

The Chiefs started strong, putting early pressure on the Bears. Ross Vintcent's powerful run and offload to Scott Sio helped set up the first attack, which led to a Josh Hodge penalty, giving Exeter a 3-0 lead. Bristol responded quickly, with Joe Batley breaking down the blindside and setting up Kieran Marmion for the opening try.

Exeter bounced back when Olly Woodburn capitalized on a loose ball, driving the Chiefs into Bristol’s 22. From a well-worked scrum, Paul Brown-Bampoe powered through for the Chiefs' first try, putting them ahead 8-5. Bristol’s relentless attack soon saw Batley score again, converting to make it 12-8.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's brilliance put Exeter back in control just before halftime, scoring a vital try and sending the Chiefs into the break with a narrow lead. Early in the second half, Josh Hodge added to the score with a penalty, and Brown-Bampoe’s second try stretched Exeter’s advantage to 25-12.

Feyi-Waboso showcased his skill once again, intercepting a pass and running 50 meters to score, giving Exeter a commanding 30-12 lead.

However, Bristol Bears refused to back down. Following a yellow card for Dan Frost, Gabriel Oghre picked a gap to score, sparking a flurry of tries for the visitors. Gabriel Ibitoye crossed twice in quick succession, giving Bristol a 33-32 lead.

Although Josh Hodge briefly reclaimed the lead for Exeter with a penalty, Ibitoye sealed Bristol's victory with his hat-trick try in the final minute, leaving the Chiefs in need of a win next weekend against Newcastle.

Team line up:

Exeter: Hodge; Feyi-Waboso, Woodburn, Hawkins, Brown-Bampoe; Skinner, Maunder; Sio, Yeandle (c), Street, Tuima, Molina, Vermeulen, Capstick, Vintcent.

Reserves: Frost, Goodrick-Clarke, Iosefa-Scott, Dunne, Roots, Fisilau, Cairns, Hammersley.

Bristol: Lane; Bates, Jenkins, Janse van Rensburg, Ibitoye; MacGinty, Marmion; Woolmore, Oghre, Lahiff, Caulfield, Batley, Luatua, S Grondona, Harding (c).

Reserves: Capon, Genge, Kloska, Dun, B Grondona, Randall, Worsley, Elizalde.