WARRIORS.
8 Shillcock – looks at home at full-back as he produced a stunning run to set up Howe’s second and provided the assist for the third. He was also willing to do the ugly stuff too.
9 HOWE – an outstanding display by the wing who not only scored three tries – the third was the best of the lot – but was also exemplary in defence. My man of the match.
7 Hearle – making a surprise start at outside centre, the academy player was at fault for Woodburn’s try but considering his lack of experience he produced a sterling effort in midfield.
7 Beck – did not have the same influence in attack as he had against Leicester a fortnight ago, but he stopped anyone that came down his channel.
7 Hammond – will not get the plaudits that Howe will receive but the wing does pack a punch in defence, weighing in with some big hits.
7 Lance – made a few sloppy mistakes, including a fumble moments before Vermeulen’s 64th minute score, but kicked well and showed purpose in possession.
7 Heaney – considering Warriors’ scrum was struggling the number nine kept his composure and cleared the danger, but Exeter just kept coming.
Bower – lasted just 10 minutes before suffering a blow to the head and had to be replaced by Owen who held his own against a strong Exeter front row.
7 Miller – was pretty accurate with his throwing at the lineout and put in a robust defensive display, notably forcing a knock on in the final moment of the first half.
6 Carey – looks the prime candidate to step into Schonert’s shoes but had a tough evening against Hepburn and then Moon as Exeter got the edge in the scrum.
7 A Kitchener – a mixed bag from the lock who was sin-binned and penalised on a few occasions but was another key man to Warriors’ rearguard action and also carried well.
8 G Kitchener – made mistakes, like his brother, as he knocked on the opening kick of the second period but was an absolute rock in defence and powered the engine room.
7 Montgomery – aside from the contentious yellow card which proved costly the energetic flanker had a very impressive night's work as he put in many dominant hits.
8 Lewis – this was the Welshman’s type of match as he got stuck in, throwing himself at anything that moved. Warriors really missed him when he went off.
9 Du Preez – could have easily been my man of the match as he produced a phenomenal performance in defence, incredibly racking up almost 30 bone-crunching tackles.
Replacements: Owen 6 (Bower 10), Cutting 6 (Miller 42), van Breda 6 (Hearle 49), Williams 5 (Lewis 56), Morris 6 (Carey 56), Clegg 5 (G Kitchener 59), David 5 (Shillcock 62), Simpson (Heaney 75).
Referee: JP Doyle.
Attendance: 6,743.
Chiefs: Dollman (S Maunder 49); O’Flaherty, I Whitten (Hendrickson 40), Devoto (Steenson 42), Woodburn; Simmonds, J Maunder; Hepburn (Moon 52), Yeandle (Poole 78), Williams (Street 52); South, Lonsdale; Ewers (Kirsten 59), Capstick (Vermeulen 59), Kvesic.
RUN OF PLAY.
5-0: Howe try, 4mins.
5-5: Woodburn try, 17mins.
5-7: Simmonds conv, 18mins.
YELLOW: A Kitchener (Warriors), 26mins.
10-7: Howe try, 28mins.
12-7: Lance conv, 29mins.
Half-time: Worcester Warriors 12-7 Exeter Chiefs.
12-10: Steenson penalty, 44mins.
17-10: Howe try, 47mins.
19-10: Lance conv, 48mins.
19-13: Simmonds penalty, 59mins.
19-18: Vermeulen try, 64mins.
19-20: Simmonds conv, 65mins.
YELLOW: Montgomery (Warriors), 68mins.
19-25: Lonsdale try, 77mins.
19-27: Simmonds conv, 78mins.
19-32: Kvesic try, 80mins.
19-34: Simmonds conv, 80mins.
Full-time: Worcester Warriors 19-34 Exeter Chiefs.
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