Exeter Chiefs capitalise on Saracens loss to go 8 points clear at top of Gallagher Premiership
- Charlie Hynes
- Mar 9, 2019
- 4 min read
Exeter Chiefs survive Worcester second half comeback to win 33-30 and go 8 points clear at the top of the Gallagher Premiership.
The Warriors headed into the game in need of a win to boost their survival hopes after last week’s loss to Newcastle at Kingston Park. It would also be an important game for top side Exeter with the chance to extend their lead after Saracens’ loss to Bath on Friday night.
The match was Warriors fullback Chris Pennell’s testimonial game in which he was making his 150th Premiership appearance. Chiefs had former Wales winger Alex Cuthbert ruled out through injury but had Harry Williams and Sam Skinner returning from Six Nations duty on the bench. Worcester were missing hooker Jack Singleton who sustained an elbow injury last weekend against the Falcons.
Worcester managed to get on the board early on with Weir knocking over a penalty on 10 minutes. Chief's came back strongly after the restart putting pressure on the Warriors line and eventually going over after a break down the right by Tom O’Flaherty who offloaded to Olly Woodburn who put Santiago Cordero in at the corner.
Exeter continued to pressure the home side with the back three causing problems for the home sides defensive line. Dave Ewers was held up under the posts but Chiefs broke through again with Cordero scoring out wide after some fine footwork from the Argentine to make the score 13-6.
Worcester clawed more points back through Weir with another penalty but then conceded again after an O’Flaherty kick was thumbled on the Warriors line to gift Woodburn a score just before half time to make it 19-6 to the Chiefs after Gareth Steenson converted going into half time.
Worcester came out for the second half looking like a different side with departing Winger Bryce Heem stepping through a number of defenders to score in the corner. Chiefs hit back straight away through O’Flaherty after Cordero used his electric feet to break through and create a two on one which secured the bonus point for the league leaders. 26-11 Chiefs.
The Sixways crowd were getting right behind their side after hearing news of away wins for relegation rivals Bristol and Newcastle elsewhere. The team responded to this support with Ted Hill bursting through the defence unchallenged to score under the posts while Chiefs had Greg Holmes in the bin for a high tackle on Ollie Lawrence.
The end to end flow continued as Exeter drove close after kicking to the corner with replacement Harry Williams barging his way over from close range. Both sides had decided to utilise their bench at this point with Jono Lance coming on and attacking the Exeter line with real purpose.
Warriors wing Howe crossed with 10 minutes to go after a superb Heem offload to give the home side hope of snatching a losing bonus point. That hope of a bonus point turned into hope of all five points when fullback Chris Pennell crossing on his special day with a huge roar from the Warriors faithful.
However, Exeter didn’t allow Worcester to have much possession in the closing minutes with the forwards controlling the ball upfront and winning a scrum to secure the bonus point win for the Chiefs despite a late scare.
Worcester Warriors were left frustrated with just the two points for the game as they felt they should have got more from the game. Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons said: “I think we really deserved the two points, they are a really good side but just before half time was critical. We had our scrum on the ten metre line and knocked it on and from that turn over they managed to score the try.”
“I thought we did well to come back but we slipped two first up tackles in the start of the second half which cost us dearly but what I would like to say is that I think the attitude of the side is exemplary.”
“We certainly showed that we can compete with the best.”
With Bristol winning away at Northampton and Newcastle beating Wasps at the Ricoh, the Warriors needed any points they could get.
“They’re vital, every single point counts and yes we are disappointed not to get the win but those two points are critical going forward,” Solomons said.
In the opposition camp Exeter Chiefs Head coach Ali Hepher was pleased to grind out the result in the end, saying: “There was some good stuff in their and some very good stuff in our attack, we scored some great tries and made some great breaks but equally a bit frustrated with the last 20 minutes.”
“We just took our eye off the ball fractionally against a good side and they’re well capable of scoring those tries. We’re pleased to get the win in the end and pleased to finish off a hard block for us with three games on the road.”
There is now a two week break from Premiership action with the Premiership Cup final and final round of the Six Nations next weekend giving sides time to recover from this recent run of games.
Worcester will continue their relegation fight against Bristol Bears who moved up to 9th after their win at Franklins Gardens today. Exeter face another west country match up with Bath who will be looking to take the scalps of the Premierships top 2 for two rounds in a row.
Player Ratings
Worcester:
Pennell 7, Heem 7, Venter 6 (Lawrence 18 7), Mills (c) 6, Howe 6, Weir 5 (Lance 51 ,7), Hougaard 7, Black 6(Waller 58, 6), Annett 6 (Miller 63) , Schonert 6 (Milasinovich 57, 5) , Bresler 7 (Phillips 68, 6), Fatialofa 6 , Hill 7, Lewis 6, Mama 6
Exeter:
Cordero 8, O’Flaherty 7, Whitten 6 (Hill 63,6), Devoto 6, Woodburn 7, Steenson 7, Maunder 6 (White 71 6), Hepburn 6, Yeandle (c)6 (Taione 61 6), Holmes6 (Williams 54 6), Dennis6, Hill 6(skinner 59 6), Ewers 7, Armand 6(Lonsdale 65 6), Kvesic 7
Comments