'Zombie-like': Exeter DoR Rob Baxter left spitting after Bristol defeat

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter was frustrated and annoyed after seeing his side fail to take advantage of Bristol’s tribulations by losing 18-14 in an attritional Gallagher Prem game at Ashton Gate.

An already injured-ravaged Bristol saw three-quarters Josh Carrington and Jack Bates depart to failed HIA’s during the course of the game.

In addition, Scotland fly-half Tom Jordan was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle on opposition number eight Ross Vintcent and replacement Max Pepper was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on.

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There was also a controversial incident eight minutes from time when referee Anthony Woodthorpe awarded a try before sending Bristol captain Fitz Harding to the sin bin, only to reverse his decisions after TMO intervention saw a line-out offence.

As a result Bristol managed to triumph thanks to tries from Bill Mata and Gabriel Oghre, as Sam Worsley kicked a penalty and a conversion, with Jordan adding a penalty.

In reply, Ben Hammersley and Henry Slade scored Exeter’s tries as Slade added the extras.

Baxter said: “Going out in the second half, we needed to take the game by the scruff of the neck and take charge.

“However we were zombie-like, walking in to going behind as we gave them penalty after penalty to allow them to piggy back up the field.

“When the TMO intervened, it looked likely that it would be disallowed for us leaving the line-out too early but in all honesty, you would see exactly the same version of that line-out being allowed for the majority of occasions if there is no TMO intervention.

“It’s chalk and cheese from last season as we are getting better bit by bit and looked likely winners for most of that game but Bristol dug in at home and got a result.”

In the opposite corner Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam was thrilled with his side’s commitment.

He said: “I’ve been here a long time and seen a lot games but that effort was almost the highlight of my time here.

“In context, that group only came together to train on Thursday when we had 15 back out with injury as they were all dropping like flies.

“We had two nine’s – one the bench and I certainly didn’t think we’d have all three on the field at the end.

“We had to improvise throughout and there was some real steel and guts out there as we had to play 30 minutes of that game with 14.”