Worcester beat Gloucester to ensure Premiership survival

Colin Newboult
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Worcester Warriors Duncan Weir

Worcester Warriors will play Premiership rugby next season after they produced a superb display to beat title-chasing Gloucester 27-20 at Sixways.

In an entertaining first half, the Cherry and Whites edged into a 15-13 advantage at the break thanks to Henry Purdy and Willi Heinz tries, while Billy Twelvetrees added five points from the tee.

Duncan Weir was Worcester’s inspiration before the interval with a try, conversion and two penalties and, at one stage, Worcester held an eight-point, but they were pegged back by the visitors in the latter stages of the opening 40 minutes.

The Warriors responded superbly, however, and were exceptional in the third quarter, touching down twice via Niall Annett and Darren Barry, before Purdy went over to set-up a nervous finale.

Johan Ackermann’s men could not get on level terms late on, but the losing bonus-point was enough to confirm their place in the top-four.

Despite their respective positions in the table, it was always going to be a difficult match for the West Countrymen. The Warriors thrashed Sale in their previous outing and took that form into the early stages of this encounter.

Alan Solomons’ men started brightly and opened the scoring via Weir’s accuracy off the tee before a fine set-piece move allowed Purdy to score and take Gloucester in front.

Worcester remained on the front foot, however, and following their fly-half’s second penalty, the Midlanders put together another fine attack. Perry Humphreys broke through the opposition rearguard, showing that the suspended Bryce Heem was not necessarily missed and, although the wing was brought down, Weir was on hand to cross the whitewash unopposed.

Back came the visitors, though, as they began to control proceedings and Twelvetrees reduced the arrears from the tee.

Danny Cipriani was also starting to exert his influence and a wonderful attack, which involved him, Twelvetrees and Mark Atkinson, ended in Heinz scampering over the line.

That gave them a two-point cushion at the break but it was soon overturned as the Warriors increased the intensity at the start of the second period.

Their forwards carried impressively in the tight and Annett benefited from the work of his team-mates to touch down from close range. Barry soon followed him, finishing well after Worcester had once again set-up camp inside the Cherry and Whites’ 22.

All of a sudden, Gloucester were 27-15 in arrears but they responded well and got back into the contest when a looping Charles Sharples pass was collected and finished by Purdy.

It was not enough, however, as the hosts held on, despite late pressure, to move 11 points clear of Newcastle in the table.

Bath