Bristol Rugby slump to first defeat of the season at hands of Exeter Chiefs

Full-time: Bristol Rugby 26 Exeter Chiefs 35

Bristol suffered their first defeat of the Championship season as four-try Exeter ran riot in the top-of-the-table clash at the Memorial Stadium.

The visitors built a 23-6 half-time lead – before tries from Junior Fatialofa and Dan Norton drew Bristol level at 23-23.

But just when Bristol looked to have the momentum, Exeter conjured tries from Phil Dollman and Simon Alcott to displace Paul Hull's side at the top of the table.

Tries from Matt Cornwell and Richie Baxter put Exeter firmly in the driving seat before the break, while Gareth Steenson kicked 13 points to give the Devonians a 23-6 half-time lead.

They raced into a 13-0 lead thanks to two Steenson penalties and a converted Cornwell try – scored after Adrian Jarvis' attempted chip over the top had been stolen by Steenson.

Two Jarvis penalties narrowed the Chiefs' lead to seven points as Bristol enjoyed a decent spell of territory and possession.

But Exeter ended the half on top, with another Steenson penalty making it 16-6 before Baxter burrowed over for the visitors' second try, which was converted by Steenson.

Bristol fought back after the restart, Fatialofa bursting through to score following a line-out, before Norton gathered Tom Arscott's chip to give Jarvis a conversion for 23-23, which he landed.

But Bristol were only level for two minutes, Dollman taking Steenson's excellent long pass to restore Exeter's lead.

A Jarvis penalty brought Bristol back to within two points at 28-26 – but replacement hooker Alcott went over late on, with Steenson converting to deny Bristol even a losing bonus point.

Bristol Rugby: L Arscott (L Robinson 50); T Arscott, L Eves, J Fatialofa (M Davies 72), D Norton; A Jarvis, J Spice (capt; R Shaw 76); M Irish, D Blaney, W Thompson (D Crompton 50), M Sambucetti (J Phillips 50), R Winters, I Grieve (R Pennycook 68), J Merriman, D Montagu. Rep not used: O Hayes.

Scorers: Tries – Fatialofa, Norton. Cons – Jarvis (2). Pens – Jarvis (4).

Exeter Chiefs: E Lewis; M Jess, P Dollman, M Cornwell, P McKenzie (M Foster 50); G Steenson, C Stuart-Smith (H Thomas 50); B Sturgess, N Clark (S Alcott 58), H Tui (R Murphy 76), T Hayes (capt), J Hanks (S Tomes 76), C Slade (T Johnson 56), J Scaysbrook, R Baxter. Rep not used: D Gray.

Scorers: Tries – Cornwell, Hanks, Dollman, Alcott. Cons – Steenson (3). Pens – Steenson (3).

Referee: L ap Geraint-Roberts. Att: 6,895.