Bristol 40-33 Exeter: Chiefs set to overlook out on play-offs as Charles Piutau conjures up Bears rout

As Bristol’s gamers celebrated victory and mentioned goodbye to their soon-to-be departing colleagues in entrance of a raucous dwelling crowd, Rob Baxter minimize an understandably extra dejected determine.

The Exeter director of rugby has had a season to overlook and he rightly admitted his crew’s play-off hopes at the moment are lifeless and buried after this 40-point defeat.

Baxter’s Chiefs can nonetheless mathematically make the highest 4 after taking two dropping bonus factors dwelling from Ashton Gate, however in actuality such hopes are forlorn. Baxter acknowledged as a lot.

Utility again Alapati Leiua (left) celebrates scoring Bristol’s fourth attempt with Jack Bates

His crew shipped six tries right here and it’ll now be between Gloucester and Northampton for fourth place with Saints favourites. Exeter have been Gallagher Premiership finalists for every of the final six seasons. It has been some document, however all good issues come to an finish. They are going to be again.

‘I believe we’re carried out,’ Baxter mentioned. ‘It’s disappointing. I believe at present has highlighted we have now bought to maneuver on. We now have develop into a little bit bit cussed as a gaggle of gamers and they should cease and open their eyes.

‘We will not simply stand right here and say “We are able to simply be the identical individuals and subsequent season we are going to simply win” as a result of it will not work like that. We now have bought to enhance as people and as a crew.

‘There’s plenty of work to be carried out and it begins now.’

Exeter have struggled with accidents to key gamers this season, however their loss to a Bristol facet who regarded again to someplace close to their greatest confirmed why they don’t seem to be high 4 materials.

Not this season at the least.

Exeter made fundamental errors and Scotland captain Stuart Hogg had one other poor sport. Hogg dropped a sitter in the beginning of the evening, costing his crew what would have been a sure attempt.

Toby Fricker and Luke Morahan sealed victory for Bristol at Ashton Gate on Friday evening

‘It has been a tricky season for all types of causes, however I do not need to hold making excuses,’ Baxter added. ‘Whenever you concede 40 factors you are not going to win many video games of Premiership rugby.’

Exeter have been degree at 14-14 on the break as Santiago Grondona and Josh Hodge responded to Bristol tries from Callum Sheedy and the excellent Charles Piutau.

Sheedy’s attempt was created by a superb fast faucet from England scrum-half Harry Randall.

Two early second-half tries put Bristol on the trail to success as they performed the kind of effervescent rugby which has been absent for too lengthy this time period.

First, Randall despatched Piutau over for his second after which Sheedy’s majestic break and offload gave Alapati Leiua a easy end.

Exeter scored 4 tries but it surely was not sufficient to revive their Premiership play-off hopes

When Bristol substitute Jack Bates was yellow carded, Exeter did reply by means of James Kenny and Olly Woodburn to once more tie the sport at 28-28.

However Toby Fricker and Luke Morahan sealed it for Bristol to make Dave Ewers’ closing act a mere comfort.

Leiua, John Afoa and Dave Attwood are among the many Bristol gamers shifting on this summer time. They got a fond farewell on the remaining whistle.

‘We talked about having fun with this sport, working laborious, and taking part in with no worry,’ mentioned Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam after his crew’s final dwelling tie of the season.

‘There have been glimpses of that kind of sport this season, but it surely has been out and in. We now have bought to get higher and get our fundamentals proper.’