Worcester 17-21 Exeter: Weir’s Warriors give Baxter a big scare

■ By GARY FITZGERALD

ROB Baxter breathed a huge sigh of relief in the chill of Sixways as Chiefs managed to “weather a Warriors storm” before regaining the winning Premiership thread.

The champions climbed back to second place in the table but were pushed all the way by the pumped-up hosts who defied their lowly position.

Worcester had to make do with a losing bonus point but were left frustrated by not being able to pile more pressure on an Exeter side coming back from losses to Wasps and Bristol.

Baxter said: “The team wanted to win very well. But I’ve told the players we can’t be perfect and play like champions every time.

“We never win a game at this place by more than a score, and this was no different. We had to weather a storm or two out there. Worcester asked us very serious questions and we responded well. The player proved they are ready to fight even when our set piece is creaking.”

Stuart Hogg, who has been switching between Six Nations and Exeter camps in the build up to the game, was in fine form, signing off to captain Scotland against England at Twickenham with some typical darting runs to put the Chiefs on the front foot.

Chiefs turned down early penalty chances to go for an early try, and it paid dividends when, after a series of assaults, lock Jonny Gray forced his way over. Worcester were already a man down with hooker Niall Annett in the sin-bin for a no-arms tackle, and a second try soon came when Hogg and Sam Simmonds fed centre Ian Whitten who charged his way through.

Warriors, however, responded with determination and skill. Young centre Oli Morris took Perry Humphreys’ sublime backhand offload to defy Chiefs’ tacklers and race across the line for his first Premiership try. Weir converted and added a penalty when Chiefs failed to roll away at a ruck, reducing the gap to just four points at the break: 10-14.

The second half was similar to the first with Chiefs on the attack and punishing Warriors with an early try. The outstanding Gray and Whitten combined to set up Ollie Devoto who managed to tumble his way across for the third try converted again by Joe Simmonds.

Devoto was soon shown a yellow card for a high tackle on replacement Sam Lewis, and Warriors were right back in contention when the quick-thinking Weir took advantage of Ollie Woodburn’s decision to try and work the ball out from behind his own line.

Weir stole the ball from a ruck a few feet out and dived over before Chiefs could compose themselves and clear the danger.

Weir missed a penalty and Chiefs’ defence managed to soak up relentless Worcester pressure to pick up a much-needed victory.

Worcester boss Alan Solomons insisted: “On another day we could easily have come away with the win.

“There was little between the two sides but we let them get quick starts in the first and second halves, and were always playing catch up. You can’t afford to give them some daylight but the way the guys kept at it and almost get the win was commendable.”