Jack Bates scored a hat-trick as Bristol Bears returned to Gallagher Premiership action with a thrilling bonus-point win over Exeter Chiefs on Community Day.

A remarkable Derby Weekend showdown saw 10 tries in the first half to set a new league record, with Bears going into the interval with a 40-24 lead at Ashton Gate.

Bates opened the scored after just two minutes while James Williams also crossed as Chiefs responded through Martin Moloney and Henry Slade inside 10 minutes.

The hosts regained the lead through Benhard Janse van Rensburg from the restart before Williams raced in for the bonus-point try to make it 26-12 to the Bears.

Chiefs hit back once again as Dafydd Jenkins powered over the whitewash, only for Williams to put Bates through from 60 metres out for a fifth try inside the half hour.

Bears faced a double setback on 30 minutes when Josh Hodge touched down his own kick through and Santiago Grondona saw red for a high tackle in the build-up.

The home side shrugged off that disappointment to score again on the stroke of half time as Harry Randall darted over on his return from international duty with England.

Pat Lam’s side continued where they left off after the break as Steven Luatua went over from close range as Bears pulled further ahead to establish a 47-24 lead, with Bates grabbing his hat-trick before the hour mark to take the hosts past 50 points.

Jack Yeandle and Will Rigg added further scored for Chiefs, while Siva Naulago was sin-binned with two minutes left, but nothing could put a dampener on a sensational display from the Bears as they completed a memorable 52-38 triumph in BS3.

Bristol Bears: 15. Rich Lane, 14. Jack Bates, 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12. James Williams, 11. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 10. Harry Byrne, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Gabriel Oghre, 3. George Kloska, 4. James Dun, 5. Joe Owen, 6. Santiago Grondona, 7. Fitz Harding (c), 8. Viliame Mata.

Replacements: 16. Harry Thacker, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. Max Lahiff, 19. Josh Caulfield, 20. Steven Luatua, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Benjamin Elizalde, 23. Siva Naulago.

Exeter Chiefs: 15. Dan John, 14. Paul Brown-Bampoe, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Will Rigg, 11. Josh Hodge, 10. Ben Coen, 9. Tom Cairns; 1. Will Goodrick-Clarke, 2. Max Norey, 3. Jimmy Roots, 4. Dafydd Jenkins (c), 5. Christ Tshiunza, 6. Martin Moloney, 7. Richard Capstick, 8. Greg Fisilau

Replacements: 16. Jack Yeandle, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19. Lewis Pearson, 20. Kane James, 21. Niall Armstrong, 22. Harvey Skinner, 23. Ben Hammersley