Chiefs victorious over Warriors for a second time this season
Worcester Warriors 18 - Exeter Chiefs 24
Who says lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place?
Twelve months ago, Exeter Chiefs defied the odds to stage a remarkable comeback – scoring two tries in the final two minutes – to snatch a famous win at Worcester’s Sixways Stadium.
Present day and Rob Baxter’s men were repeating the feat as Dean Mumm’s late touchdown saw the Devon club keep alive their quest to be back amongst Europe’s elite in next season’s Heineken Cup with another dramatic success.
With just two minutes remaining, the towering Aussie collected his first try in Exeter colours, as his simple pick-and-go from close range downed Richard Hill’s Warriors for a second time this season.
In a dominant first half, the Chiefs ran in tries from Luke Arscott and Gareth Steenson, the latter of whom also converted both, to lead 14-6 at the turn.
Andy Goode punted over first half penalties for the hosts, before Worcester rallied strongly in the second period to add tries from Matt Kvesic and Josh Drauniniu, the latter of which Goode also converted.
The Chiefs, though, were not to be denied and with Steenson kicking a penalty and a conversion to Mumm’s late score, the battle for the top six is set to intensify over the closing weeks of the season.
Undone in the dying minutes by Leicester’s Toby Flood the previous week, the Chiefs arrived in the Midlands with a largely unchanged squad as they looked to return to winning ways at the first opportunity.
Indeed, the sole change to the starting XV came at openside flanker where the experienced James Scaysbrook returned to the fray having missed the Tigers clash to be at the birth of his second child.
Scaysbrook’s inclusion meant Ben White was the unlucky man as he dropped to the bench at the expense of former Worcester favourite Kai Hortsmann; whilst also added to the reserve ranks was Fijian force Sireli Naqelevuki, whose last-gasp score in the same fixture last season enabled the Chiefs to seal a famous fightback and with it Heineken Cup rugby for the first time in the club’s history.
The Warriors, meanwhile, made five changes to their line-up from that which was soundly beaten 26-6 at London Irish last time out.
Three of them came in the pack where there were starts for Euan Murray, Chris Jones and Semisi Taulava, whilst behind Jonny Arr and Josh Matavesi – one of four former Chiefs in the home ranks – were also included from the outset.
In a fast opening to the game, it was the Warriors who were first to show, opening their account inside three minutes when Goode slotted a straight-forward penalty after Dave Ewers had been singled out for infringing at a ruck deep inside his own 22.
Home joy proved short-lived, however, as within minutes the visitors had claimed the lead for themselves following a sustained spell of pressure. Ewers, Hoani Tui and Jason Shoemark all threatened the Worcester line, before full-back Arscott emerged from a mass of bodies to claim the opening try, which Steenson duly converted...
For Mark Stevens's full match report click here.
Worcester Warriors: C Pennell; J Drauniniu, A Grove, J Matavesi, D Lemi; A Goode, J Arr; M Mullan (C Jones 73), E Shervington (A Lutui 73), E Murray (J Andress 64); J Percival (capt), C Jones (D Schofield 65); N Best, M Kvesic, S Taulava (S Betty 70-74). Replacements (not used): S Perry, D Gray, J Clarke.
Tries – Kvesic, Drauniniu; Conversion – Goode; Penalties – Goode (2)
Yellow Card: Matavesi
Exeter Chiefs: L Arscott; J Nowell, P Dollman, J Shoemark (S Naqelevuki 75), M Jess; G Steenson, H Thomas (W Chudley 73); C Rimmer (B Sturgess 60), J Yeandle (C Whitehead 60), H Tui (C Mitchell 78); D Mumm, D Welch (J Hanks 63); D Ewers (B White 60), J Scaysbrook, R Baxter. Replacements (not used): H Slade.
Tries – Arscott, Steenson, Mumm; Conversions – Steenson (3); Penalty – Steenson
Referee: D Rose
Touch Judges: S Lee & N Carrick
4th Official: G MacDonald
UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v London Irish (H), Aviva Premiership, Saturday 13 April (3pm). Book tickets here.
Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club / Pinnacle Photo Agency
