Worcester suffer Short circuit after yellow card for Faosiliva
JAMES Short scored an explosive hat-trick to maintain Exeter’s unbeaten record over Worcester in the Premiership.
It was a tenth consecutive success for the Chiefs over the Warriors but it was still another improved performance from Gary Gold’s side, who had their opponents firmly on the back foot for much of the first half before the sin-binning of No.8 Alafoti Faosiliva turned the game Exeter’s way.
This enabled Exeter to run riot in the second half with their wings, Short and Olly Woodburn capitalising on some power play from their forwards and some skilful distribution by Henry Slade and Michele Campagnaro.
Exeter boss Rob Baxter said: “James Short has electric pace, especially on this fast artificial surface and he and Olly Woodburn became more and more lively as the game went on.
“They have both made huge contributions to the way we’ve been playing this season.”
For Worcester it was another step in the right direction and in a frenetic first half, they kicked on from last week’s morale boosting win over champions Saracens with a hugely encouraging effort.
Dewald Potgeiter and Chris Vui tore into the counterparts and there was some delightful handling from Josh Adams and Bryce Heem to secure two early tries but three misses from Ryan Mills prevented them from capitalising fully and slowly but surely Exeter grew to become the dominant force.
Worcester had started strongly to take an early lead when Francois Hougaard and Heem first combined neatly before excellent ball retention and accurate passing created the opening try for Adams.
Chiefs soon responded with their first try when Gareth Steenson picked a gap in the home defence to run 30 metres to score, after a strong run from Short had put the defence on the back foot.
Worcester were soon back in front with a Mills penalty before another powerful burst from Heem paved the way for Perry Humphreys to cross on the opposite flank.
Mills missed the conversion and a subsequent penalty before Exeter came right back into contention with their second try. A thrust from Campagnaro took them into the home 22 before a floated pass from Phil Dollman sent Short over in the corner.
Mills missed another penalty but both he and Steenson were soon on target to leave Worcester 18-17 ahead at half-time.
However soon after the restart, Worcester suffered a big blow when Faosiliva was yellow carded for an off the ball tackle and Exeter immediately took advantage when Steenson sent Woodburn over.
Worcester’s woes continued with the concession of two further tries in Faosiliva’s absence. Short benefitted from an electric burst from Sam Simmonds to score his second before Simmonds turned tryscorer by finishing off a driving lineout.
Faosiliva returned in time to see Heem score Worcester’s third but Campagnaro and Short crossed for late tries to emphasise Exeter’s superiority.
With the last movement of the match, Kiwi centre Jackson Willison earned Worcester a merited bonus point with their fourth try.