WARRIORS.
8 Pennell – was exceptional in all departments, especially under the high ball, but his shanked kick to touch in the closing stages was crucial to the result.
8 Humphreys – produced a superb break and 40-metre run to score his first before doing brilliantly to spin away from Hogg and cross in the corner for his second.
7 Beck – made plenty of ground when he did get hold of the ball and got off the defensive line well to help shut down Exeter’s attack, almost getting an intercept.
7 Mills – refused to let anyone get down his channel and was a menace at the breakdown but was penalised for an illegal clear-out that denied his side one final attack.
7 Nanai – a strong display from the wing who put in weighed in with big hits on Hogg and Hill and produced a delightful offload to Pennell.
8 WEIR – embodied Warriors’ defensive effort with 20 tackles – more than anyone else -, kicked superbly off the tee and almost scored in the corner. My man of the match.
7 Heaney – tasked with filling Hougaard’s boots, the scrum-half kept Warriors ticking with sharp deliveries and exited well.
6 Black – held firm in defence but added little in the loose and was penalised twice as Warriors’ scrum struggled all evening.
7 Annett – accurate at the lineout and was in double digits in tackles made, missing none as he emptied his tank before being replaced.
5 Carey – found life difficult at scrum-time, conceding three penalties, and almost cost his side a try when he missed a tackle on Cuthbert.
7 Bresler – was strong in the air and did a lot of the ugly stuff, helping Warriors hold Exeter out for long periods before making way for Fatialofa.
8 Kitchener – was one of Worcester’s top defenders with 17 tackles and cause Chiefs problems in the lineout, claiming one important steal.
7 Hill – got through a lot of defensive work but conceded one too many turnovers with a couple of handling mistakes.
8 Lewis – was almost everywhere in the opening period as he made a crucial catch which led to Humphreys’ second score before being forced off with a head injury.
8 Du Preez – made a series of dominant carries and tackles as he made a big impact in the game and sneaked in a grubber kick in the second half.
Replacements: Mama 7 (Lewis 35), Waller 7 (Black 51), Palframan 6 (Carey 51), Fatialofa 4 (Bresler 54), van Velze 6 (du Preez 57), Venter (Mama 75). Not used: Simpson.
Chiefs: Hogg; O’Flaherty, Whitten, S Hill (Hendrickson 63), Cuthbert; Simmonds, Maunder (White 51); Hepburn (Keast 63), Yeandle, Williams, Dennis (Lonsdale 61), J Hill, Ewers, Vermeulen (Kirsten 67), Kvesic. Replacements not used: Taione, Street, Steenson.
Referee: T Foley.
Attendance: 8,598.
RUN OF PLAY.
0-3: Simmonds penalty, 6mins.
5-3: Humphreys try, 9mins.
7-3: Weir conv, 10mins.
10-3: Weir penalty, 15mins.
15-3: Humphreys try, 27mins.
17-3: Weir conv, 28mins.
17-8: Maunder try, 39mins.
17-10: Simmonds conv, 40mins.
Half-time: Worcester Warriors 17-10 Exeter Chiefs.
17-15: Kvesic try, 64mins.
17-17: Simmonds conv, 65mins.
20-17: Weir penalty, 69mins.
20-22: Williams try, 75mins.
20-24: Simmonds conv, 76mins.
Full-time: Worcester Warriors 20-24 Exeter Chiefs.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here