Worcester shock champions at Sandy Park
WORCESTER pulled off the shock of the season by becoming the first side to win a Premiership fixture at Sandy Park since Bath triumphed in October 2016.
On their previous four visits to Sandy Park, Warriors, have been defeated 33-9, 40-6, 50-12 and 57-22 but this, their first ever Premiership success over Exeter was no fluke.
They were the better side throughout, winning a fierce forward battle and as if their lives depended on it to frustrate the reigning champions.
Worcester’s director of rugby Alan Solomons said: “It’s a wonderful day for Worcester Warriors and we must enjoy it though we must keep our feet on the ground.
“It was both unbelievable and incredible as we managed to operate the key factors in our game plan brilliantly.
“We had to match them physically and our defence was outstanding as we knew we had to take the game in periods of 20 minutes at a time.
“We showed terrific heart as they hold the ball for long passages of play but we thoroughly deserved the win.”
They certainly did, for Exeter lacked inspiration and power and could have done with Henry Slade or Jack Nowell in their threequarters as just Olly Woodburn had any idea of how to break down the stubborn Warriors.
Only Thomas Waldrom and Jonny Hill emerged with any credit from a lethargic performance from the home pack where the dynamism of Sam Simmonds and Alec Hepburn was badly missed.
Exeter’s director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “I’ve no issues with international call-ups; it’s great for the club that these players are being recognised and we should have a strong enough squad to cope.”
Will Spencer was a late withdrawal for Warriors with illness and he was replaced at lock by Darren Barry, who led Worcester out on his 50th appearance for the club.
The first half was a contender for one of the poorest of the season as neither side could bring continuity to their game with two penalties from Chris Pennell being the only scores.
Try chances were at a premium with the visitors having the best opportunity when Exeter lost possession on half-way. Pennell capitalised by breaking away to feed Jackson Willitackling son but neither player had sufficient pace to make the line.
Exeter made frequent handling errors although one decent round of passing saw Woodburn dragged down five metres short. But that was their only excursion into the visitors’ 22 as Warriors deservedly led 6-0 at the interval.
Worcester captain Donncha O’Callaghan failed to reappear for the second half, having suffered a head injury, but they soon had a great chance to go further ahead only for Pennell’s penalty attempt to go astray.
A Thomas Waldrom burst finally gave the home crowd something to cheer before Mitch Lees finished off a driving line-out to put Exeter on the scoreboard. Steenson’s conversion hit a post so Worcester remained in front.
Woodburn evaded two tackles to run 40 metres into the opposition 22 and a try beckoned, but Will Chudley’s pass was blocked by the referee, much to the frustration of the Exeter faithful.