Joe Simmonds inspired his Exeter Chiefs squad at their fifth straight Gallagher Premiership final, giving Bath a lesson in clinicity at Sandy Park to win 35 -6
Visitors got a glimpse of the form that saw them step out of the field ahead of the season break, all the way to the semi-finalists in October
Ultimately, the two teams that will compete for the 2019/20 Premiership title in two weeks time are the clubs that no one else can stop doing what they are best at
Wasps’ incredible back-spinning game, inspired by indomitable Jack Willis, led the Coventry team to a stunning 47-24 victory over the Bristol Bears earlier in the afternoon, while that Exeter has proven for the thousandth time that they cannot be narrowly denied interval
When the Chiefs sniff the try line, they gobble up the points, which are normally seven thanks to a metronomic kick from Exeter captain Joe Simmonds
Twice in the first half, the Chiefs patiently built up phases, then passed through Jonny Hill Lock and hooker Luke Cowan-Dicke
Bath arguably showed his best offensive rugby since the restart, but was defeated by the sidelines
Red winger Ruaridh McConnochie has just been pushed into touch towards the corner, Will Stuart attempted an accidental offside in the build-up as he collided with Sam Underhill on his way to the line, and Taulupe Faletau makes the type of eye-catching break that saw Bath spend big to get him to the club in the first place, but his last pass was taken away by Stuart Hogg who almost went the length of the pitch
In the end, although the Chiefs were reduced to 14 men with a Hill yellow card for an armless clear at the ruck just before the break, Bath had only a pair of Rhys Priestland penalties to show for all their first half efforts
With the hard work done, Exeter added some sparkle in the second half with the incredible Joe Simmonds creating two tries with his elusive run, the first marching and unloading for Scottish captain Stuart Hogg to finish in the corner, and the second one off the bridge for Ollie Devoto after another line break
The Chiefs’ chances of a national and European double are therefore open with Racing 92 next Saturday during the Heineken Champions Cup final at Ashton Gate
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Exeter Chiefs: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Olly Woodburn, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 Joe Simmonds (c), 9 Jack Maunder; 1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Harry Williams, 4 Jonny Gray, 5 Jonny Hill, 6 Dave Ewers, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 8 Sam Simmonds
Substitutes: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Jannes Kirsten, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Ian Whitten
Bath Rugby: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Ruaridh McConnochie, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Joe Cokanasiga, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Ben Spencer; 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Josh McNally, 5 Charlie Ewels (C), 6 Tom Ellis, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Lewis Boyce, 18 Christian judge, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Miles Reid, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Josh Matavesi, 23 Tom de Glanville
Exeter Chiefs
World news – UK – Exeter Chiefs delivers fifth straight trip to Premiership final