Exeter Chiefs enjoyed a brief spell on top of the Gallagher Premiership after a rousing 24-14 victory at Bristol Bears on Friday.

While the Chiefs were usurped by Northampton, who beat Sale 24 hours later, the quality of their performance on the road, plus a bonus point, will give the Sandy Park side great encouragement for the business end of the season.

A superb crowd of 24,257 at Ashton Gate watched Exeter come flying out of the blocks in the early stages, as Josh Iosefa-Scott and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso both crashed over the line. Bristol responded with tries from Gabriel Oghre and Noah Heward.

After the break, Stu Townsend took advantage of an excellent break from Feyi-Waboso to touch down. Henry Slade missed the conversion but it proved immaterial, as the Chiefs powered to victory.

The gloss on a very shiny victory was added when Jacques Vermeulen bundled through a tired home defence for the bonus-point score.