Chiefs steal a late winner

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: A late Harry Williams try proved enough for Exeter Chiefs to come from behind and down a spirited Worcester Warriors side 24-20 at Sixways on Sunday.

The Warriors burst out of the blocks to build up an early 17-3 lead, with a pair of Humphreys tries and Duncan Weir's flawless tee-kicking.

But the Chiefs wrenched themselves back into contention on the stroke of half-time, Jack Maunder going over to drag the deficit back to just seven.

And the visitors levelled things with 15 minutes to play, Matt Kvesic going over after a line-out maul to score against his former club.

Duncan Weir put the hosts back in front with a penalty, but Williams crashed over after 32 Exeter phases to give his side the win.

WHAT THEY SAID

Exeter Chiefs' Matt Kvesic said: "Fair play to Worcester, that was pretty tough.

"We upped our tempo at the end of the second half, last 20 and probably got lucky there.

"Worcester were physical, they came with line speed and were creating attacks; we never got on the front foot in defence.

"Also, we just couldn't catch a cold, dropped every other ball and just weren't clinical enough. There's a lot to work on, but four points away from home is not to be sniffed at.

"I think there's positives to take out of the last 20. We like going through phases, keeping hold of the ball.

"They did drive us back, but we stayed patient, got there in the end and that's what we're about. We just need to get back to doing the basics well."

Worcester Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons said: "It's a game we should have won.

"We threw the game away. We gave a penalty away on our halfway line, which they kicked to the corner and got a try from that.

"And then, to clear our lines at the end, we kicked it directly into touch. That's the game.

"A lack of discipline and an error cost us the match. You play at this level, make errors and lack discipline and it's costly."

The scorers:

For Worcester Warriors:

Tries: Humphreys 2

Cons: Weir 2

Pens: Weir 2

For Exeter Chiefs:

Tries: Maunder, Kvesic, Williams

Cons: Simmonds 3

Pen: Simmonds

Teams:

Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Ashley Beck, 12 Ryan Mills (captain), 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Michael Heaney, 8 Cornell du Preez, 7 Sam Lewis, 6 Ted Hill, 5 Graham Kitchener, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Conor Carey, 2 Niall Annett, 1 Callum Black

Replacements: 16 Joe Taufete'e, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Michael Fatialofa, 20 GJ van Velze, 21 Marco Mama, 22 Gareth Simpson, 23 Francois Venter

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tom O'Flaherty, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Alex Cuthbert, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Jack Maunder, 8 Matt Kvesic, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Dave Dennis, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Jack Yeandle (captain), 1 Alec Hepburn

Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Billy Keast, 18 Marcus Street, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Sean Lonsdale, 21 Nic White, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Tom Hendrickson

Referee: Tom Foley

Assistant referees: Jack Makepeace & Simon McConnell

TMO: Stuart Terheege

Source: @PremRugby