Simpson’s try double inspires fightback win
WORCESTER Warriors came from behind to beat Gloucester and reach the club’s first ever Premiership Cup final.
The victory was also Worcester’s first at Kingsholm in 12 years as scrum-half Gareth Simpson’s try-double inspired Warriors to fight back from 18-7 down in the firsthalf to secure a convincing win.
Worcester assistant coach Jonny Goodridge said: “We came here with an incredibly strong squad but did play a lot of young and inexperienced players who really stood up.
“To weather the storm that came in the first half, with a vibrant crowd, and then kick on in the second half, was testament to the boys.
“It’s so good to see so many Worcester fans here tonight. I imagine it is hard being a Warriors supporter
week in, week out, and when you get nights like this you’ve just got to enjoy it.”
Worcester picked a far more experienced team than Gloucester, naming regular first-team players such as British and Irish Lion Duan Van der Merwe and Tongan international Sione Valianu.
But it was a young Gloucester side, featuring 18 academy products in their matchday 23, who were more convincing in a captivating first half.
The home side’s early dominance was rewarded with a George Barton penalty from in front of the posts. But the first moment of brilliance from Simpson saw his chip and chase over the Gloucester defence set Tom Howe free down the right and the winger finished acrobatically in the corner to give Worcester the lead.
Gloucester came back and scored two tries of their own. First Cameron Jordan powered over the line after 20 minutes before winger Jake Morris crossed just after the halfhour mark.
At 18-7 the hosts were in control but Simpson was not done for the half just yet and he scampered round the blindside and found room down the left to score in the corner just before half-time to reduce Goucester’s lead to 18-14.
The always dangerous Van der Merwe was put into space and he passed inside to the tracking run of Simpson who went in under the posts for his second score 10 minutes later.
Gloucester’s Henry Walker was sent to the bin for pulling down a driving maul on his own line, giving away a penalty try in the process, and Jamie Shillcock’s penalty stretched Worcester’s lead.
Arthur Clark scrambled over for the home side, but a flowing Worcester move ended with hooker Niall Annett diving over to secure their place in the final.
Gloucester assistant coach Tim Taylor said: “I’m tremendously proud of the boys, we showed excellent fight throughout the whole 80 minutes, and even though we didn’t get any flow throughout the second half, we kept trying.
“Defensively I thought we were really connected, but it’s important we learn about set-piece and learn more around our kicking game.”
He added: “I’m so excited about this group. What an experience to play against a Premiership side.”