Chiefs hammer Worcester

Editor

Exeter Chiefs ran away to a 33-9 victory against Worcester at Sandy Park to pick up their fourth Premiership win of the season.

Exeter Chiefs ran away to a 33-9 victory against Worcester at Sandy Park, powering on in the second half to pick up their fourth Premiership win of the season.

A dominant first-half performance laid the platform for Exeter to secure a welcome victory at home.

Gonzalo Camacho grabbed the opening try to get the Chiefs underway with Haydn Thomas and Chris Budgen wrapping things up towards the end of the second half.

The Chiefs headed into the match in search of a return to form following defeats to Leinster, Clermont and Bath, while Worcester were fresh from a narrow victory over Sale.

It was one-way traffic for the vast majority of the first half, with Exeter getting the procession of points underway after just five minutes.

Camacho was first to a hopeful grubber through to get the game's first try, and Gareth Steenson followed his successful conversion with four penalty goals in the next 20 minutes to set up a commanding lead.

Worcester had been given barely a sniff but a penalty goal on the stroke of half time from Andy Goode offered a glimmer of hope.

A second penalty goal from Goode nine minutes into the second half reduced the deficit further, and when he struck a third on 69 minutes to make it 19-9, the visitors had genuine hope of snatching something.

But Thomas's converted try from short range just three minutes later gave Exeter breathing space.

And Worcester's hopes of an unlikely comeback in the final minutes were not helped when Sam Betty was sin-binned for a late challenge on kicker Luke Arscott.

That laid the platform for Exeter to hammer the final nail in the coffin minutes later, as Chris Budgen finished off a well worked move to round off a satisfactory afternoon for the hosts, whose strong home form, following victories over Harlequins and Saracens already this season, continues.

The scorers:

For Exeter Chiefs:
Tries: Camacho, Thomas, Budgen
Cons: Steenson 2, Mieres
Pens: Steenson

For Worcester Warriors:
Pens: Goode 3

Yellow cards: Sam Betty (Worcester)

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Sireli Naqelevuki, 12 Phil Dollman, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Haydn Thomas,8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Aly Muldowney, 4 Tom Hayes (capt), 3 Carl Rimmer, 2 Chris Whitehead, 1 Brett Sturgess.
Replacements: 16 Neil Clark,17 Ben Moon, 18 Chris Budgen, 19 James Hanks, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Kevin Barrett, 22 Ignacio Mieres, 23 Ian Whitten.

Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Josh Drauniniu, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 David Lemi, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Chris Jones, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Sam Betty, 5 Dean Schofield (c), 4 James Percival, 3 John Andress, 2 Ed Shervington, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Aleki Lutui, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 James Currie, 19 Craig Gillies, 20 Semisi Taulava, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 Joe Carlisle, 23 Ravai Fatiaki.

Venue: Sandy Park
Referee: David Rose