Aviva Premiership: Exeter leave it late to see off Worcester
A late try from Dean Mumm allowed Exeter to grab a 24-18 win over Worcester in their Aviva Premiership clash at Sixways.
Last Updated: 30/03/13 5:52pm
The visitors stormed into an nine-point lead with just 20 minutes on the clock as Luke Arscott and Gareth Steenson both ran in early tries.
The Warriors then finally came to life after half-time as Matt Kvesic and Josh Dranuniniu both crossed the try-line, with Andy Goode's conversion of the latter score edging the home side in front.
But it was Exeter who had the last word as Mumm went over four minutes from time to snatch a victory which kept their hopes of Heineken Cup qualification alive.
Worcester made a bright start and took a third minute lead with a simple penalty from Goode, but the advantage was short-lived as Exeter powered through the phases before Arscott crashed over for a try which was converted by Steenson.
The Warriors looked to have regained the lead when David Lemi collected a kick from Goode and crossed the line, but the touch judge ruled that he had knocked on in the process of scoring.
Goode slotted over his second penalty shortly afterwards, but it was Exeter who extended the gap when Haydn Thomas made a neat break to send Steenson in under the posts.
The scoreline remained 14-6 at the break and a Steenson penalty soon after the restart put Exeter 12 points to the good before Worcester began their fightback.
The hosts declined a kickable penalty in favour of a more attacking option and were rewarded when Kvesic drove over from a five-metre line-out, with Goode unable to add the extras.
But a break from fly-half Goode then set the Warriors up in the opposition 22, and another strong line-out saw the Chiefs reeling backwards for Johnny Arr to send Drauniniu over for a converted score.
Worcester looked to be holding on but with 10 minutes to go Josh Matavesi was sin-binned for deliberate offside and Exeter capitalised on the one-man advantage when Mumm crashed over late on.