Exeter Chiefs enjoyed a winning end to 2023 with an impressive victory on the road against Bristol Bears allowing the Vertu Motors-backed side to maintain its title challenge.
Chasing a seventh league win of the season, Exeter grabbed the lead early on in front a crowd of more than 24,000 at Ashton Gate, with Josh Iosefa-Scott driving over to open the scoring after just six minutes.
Henry Slade added the extras with the boot before Gabriel Oghre replied to bring the scores level with a converted try on twelve minutes.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was on the end of a fine move from the Chiefs to reclaim the lead but Slade missed the kick - allowing Bristol to then move ahead shortly before the break when Noah Heward dived over in the corner and Callum Sheedey kicked his second conversion of the game.
Exeter reclaimed the lead shortly after the break when Stu Townsend crossed from close in, although Slade would again fail to add the extras - just minutes before the try scorer was sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on.
Despite being a man down, Exeter were able to stay ahead and extended their advantage late on when Jacques Vermeulen s converted try completed a 24-14 bonus point win that put the Chiefs briefly top of the table before rivals Northampton reclaimed the lead with a win over Sale.
The Saints are the visitors to Sandy Park in the first game of 2024 this weekend.