Warriors on the charge for Challenge Cup glory
DEAN Hammond’s last-gasp try completed an incredible fightback at Sixways as Worcester stunned Stade Francais to seal a home quarter-final.
Stade were leading 28-14 at half-time thanks to converted scores from Ryan Chapuis, Laurent Sempere, Arthur Coville and Jonathan Danty.
But Warriors who had come back to win their two previous games refused to give in as Sam Lewis went over before the hosts scored three tries in the final six minutes.
Ollie Lawrence and Tom Howe touched down to level the scores before Hammond crossed in the final play of the game.
Warriors head coach Rory Duncan hailed his side’s “never-say-die” attitude to clinch another unlikely victory.
“In the past couple of weeks we have shown some really good fight,” Duncan said.“The players have this never-say-die attitude.
“Credit to the effort the players put in just from a conditioning perspective. They are really fit at the moment but to be able to close out three games on the trot in the dying minutes shows great character.”
Warriors took just three minutes to open the scoring as back rower Marco Mama presented the ball on a plate for Howe who sprinted home.
The visitors hit straight back as Kylan Hamdaoui chipped the ball in behind for Chapuis to dot down draw level at 7-7.
French international flyhalf Jules Plisson missed a penalty from distance but a driving lineout then resulted in hooker Sempere crashing over.
Stade increased their lead when Julien Arias stormed through and fed scrum-half Coville who finished with ease.
Warriors responded with a pushover try from Simon Kerrod but Stade had the final say in the opening period as Jonathan Danty nipped in to score.
However ill-discipline crept into the visitors’ game as Danty saw yellow for a tip-tackle and Worcester soon punished them with a score from Lewis.
Warriors missed several chances but their persistence paid off in fine fashion when Lawrence gathered Howe’s offload before showing great athleticism to touch down in the corner. Pennell convertand ed from out wide.
A Nicolas Sanchez penalty gave Stade a 31-26 lead with four minutes to go but Worcester then levelled when Howe scored his second.
In the dying moments Warriors won a penalty inside their own half before Mills set up a lineout on the 22 with an excellent touchfinder. Mills then delivered an inch-perfect pass to winger Hammond who dived over to secure a dramatic triumph.
Stade boss Heyneke Meyer blamed his side’s poor discipline for the defeat. “I thought we played well in the first-half but there were too many penalties in that second half,” he said.
“Credit to Worcester to come back but I am really proud of our guys as there were a lot of youngsters out there and they stuck to their guns right until the end.”