Hearle’s the hero as Warriors stun Chiefs

By ROGER PANTING

Worcester ……..35pts

Tries: Hearle 17, 34, 68, Heward 46, Doel 65

Conversions: Smith 17,34, 46, 65, 68

Exeter …………….31pts

Tries: Grondona 26, O’Flaherty 30, Innard 62, Norey 72, Ewers 78

Conversions: Simmonds 26, 30, 72

THIS game had all you wanted to provide an afternoon of thrilling entertainment at Sixways.

An early red card to even up the chances, a first league hat-trick for a young wing in a total of ten tries, then a spirited comeback before ending with a win for the underdogs in a tense finale.

The defining moment came early on when Exeter centre, Tom Hendrickson, was red carded but, despite this blow, for large parts of the game the visitors looked the more likely winners but unforced errors from them proved crucial.

Worcester’s win took them off the bottom as it was only their second over Exeter in 20 league matches to bring an end to Chiefs‘ four-match winning run.

Worcester director of rugby Steve Diamond said: “We played a few young players last week at London Irish and got a kick in the nuts so we needed to build up resilience and the players certainly did that.”

Warriors overcame the early loss of their talisman, Sione Vailanu, to score some brilliant tries. A crucial interception from Noah Heward, then a sparkling effort from Harri Doel before the completion of a hat-trick from Alex Hearle. However their scrum were battered at the set-piece and Warriors were fortunate to win with such a high penalty count against them

Massive credit has to be given to Exeter’s forwards for keeping them in contest with Dave Ewers and Jacques Vermuelen to the fore but breakaway tries cost them dear.

After an entertaining but scoreless first 15 minutes, Exeter lost Hendrickson, when he was sent off for a high challenge on Vailanu. Minutes earlier, Hendrickson had missed a tackle on Vailanu, but this time he succeeded in stopping the Tongan powerhouse but only with his shoulder as it made contact with the No 8’s head.

Vailanu failed an HIA and Warriors immediately capitalised with a try from Hearle to reward a sharp break from Willi Heinz.

Exeter were rattled but turned to their pack to keep them in contention. Powerful bursts from Alec Hepburn and Jack Innard tested the defence before Santiago Grondona crashed over from close range.

Warriors continued to offend, conceding eight penalties in the first 30 minutes, and they were made to pay when Sam Maunder made a break for Tom O’Flaherty to score.

Chief ‘s forward power looked ominous but Worcester drew level when a neat round of passing provided Hearle with an easy run-in for his second.

Exeter began the second half strongly but were rocked when Heward intercepted five metres from his try-line to outpace Olly Woodburn on a 100 metre run to the line.

Despite a malfunctioning line-out, Exeter scored their third try when Innard forced his way over and they looked set for victory.

However Warriors introduced Doel and with his first touch, he raced away before kicking ahead and when the ball bounced unfavourably for Josh Hodge, picked up the loose ball to score.

Two minutes later, Hearle skipped over to complete his hat-trick but Exeter picked up two deserved bonus points when forwards Max Norey and Ewers crashed over in quick succession to set up a nerve-jangling finish.