Gallagher Premiership: Noah Heward try for Bristol Bears v Exeter Chiefs 'finish of the season so far’, says Stuart Hogg

Noah Heward produced a wonderful first-half finish that was met with high praise from TNT Sports pundit Stuart Hogg as Bristol Bears faced Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Premiership on Friday night.

A contest between two of the league’s most exciting teams was always going to produce fireworks, and it didn’t disappoint.

It was the visitors who made the early running as Josh Iosefa-Scott powered over from close range, but the Bears responded immediately through Gabriel Oghre.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso put Exeter back in front before Heward gave the hosts a lead at the break in stunning fashion.

Playing with an advantage and under immense pressure from the Chiefs’ rush defence, Virimi Vakatawa somehow flicked the ball on to Janse van Rensburg, who then offloaded immediately to Heward on the touchline.

That left the 23-year-old with plenty to do but he backed himself, handing off Nika Abuladze before diving over the line to evade the tackle of Dan Frost.

The margins were tiny, but Heward made it look easy, and it got the seal of approval from former Chiefs and Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg.

“The ability, the catch-pass from Vakatawa on to Van Rensburg and that for me is the finish of the season so far,” Hogg said at half-time at Ashton Gate.

“He’s got very, very little space there to make a difference and make an impact on the game and he’s gone right up the touchline and an incredible, acrobatic finish to dot down in the corner.”

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