Saturday 8 November 2014 21:03, UK
Exeter head coach Rob Baxter believes his side will be better for a "tough workout" after they saw off Bath 18-6 in the LV= Cup.
The reigning champions made it two wins from two in this season's competition, overcoming their west country rivals in front of a record Sandy Park crowd of 11,785.
While the result was pleasing for Baxter, who fielded a full-strength side that included debutant Byron McGuigan at full-back, the Chiefs boss feels the intensity of the match will benefit his squad.
"Many of the guys have only played in one match in the last three weeks so we needed that tough workout," Baxter said. "It was pleasing that we came through the game that was in the balance going into the final quarter.
"That was something that was definitely a weakness for us last season. We've had a tough 80 minutes against a Bath team that I thought played very well despite the changes they've had.
"We've had that tough workout; there are some areas to work on which we will identify early in the week but we looked like a group of players who needed the 80 minutes to there so I'm pleased, and relived, that it went the way it did.
We've had that tough workout; there are some areas to work on which we will identify early in the week but we looked like a group of players who needed the 80 minutes to there so I'm pleased, and relived, that it went the way it did.
The two teams were level after the opening 40 minutes but the Chiefs pulled away in the final quarter with tries from replacement props Carl Rimmer and Moray Low.
Baxter added: "Getting the final try was important for us because there have been so many scenarios where we have watched games slip away from us. The truth is that we were the team under pressure, at home in front of the biggest ever crowd here.
"We know that Bath had players away on international duty while we were pretty much full strength so we had it win really. That extra pressure is a good thing to play under so I'm pleased that Bath played as well as they did because it was tough for us.
"The bench had a good impact - Carl Rimmer is having a try-scoring feast but he is playing in the way where he's meriting the scores and making the impact because he looks on form at the minute.
"I'm pleased with the squad as a whole and pleased that we haven't picked-up any serious injuries. We've had a tough game but we don't look perfect but I think that is always the best way to be ahead of the Northampton game."
Bath first team coach Darren Edwards was disappointed that the visitors, who had won their opening match in the competition, had come away with nothing from the game.
"We were disappointing having lost because we had a bunch of young guys who really wanted to prove themselves in that Bath shirt so we are really proud of them because they put in a good performance," he said.
"The game swung on two incidents where we were in control of the situation but that is rugby for you. It was a tight game and a good battle. We know that the season will be tested on our squad strength and the squad is performing well.
"I thought that the forwards did really well; they battled hard particularly in that opening 20 minutes and their reward was to get a lot of scrum penalties. We feel confident going into our next batch of Premiership games."
