WORCESTER Warriors will head into their Green King IPA Championship campaign on the back of a defeat after Exeter Chiefs produced a clinical display at Sixways on Friday night.
Director of rugby Dean Ryan’s players would have been hoping to push their case one final time before their season kicks off against Bristol on Sunday.
But, instead, it was the likes of Jack Yeandle, Mitch Lees and Thomas Waldrom who were the stars of the show as they all scored in a comfortable victory for Exeter.
This follows Worcester’s defeat to Sale Sharks, but Ryan believes the tie against Aviva Premiership opposition was exactly what they needed as they gear up for the start of the Championship.
“We won’t get tested like we did against Exeter much this season so for our learning this is exactly what I wanted,” Ryan said.
“I wanted pre-season to put us under the microscope and show us where the standards are and to get this young group towards those.
“We know where we are and I’ve been delighted with the people I wanted to come in and take their chances.”
Ryan said he was also pleased with by the way his side, which included youngsters Christian Scotland Williamson, Mike Daniels and Andy Symons, fronted up in what was a physical encounter.
After a five-minute delay following a serious injury to Exeter scrum half Will Chudley, Warriors opened the scoring thanks to a penalty from Ignacio Mieres.
But it was the visitors who notched up the first try of the night when Yeandle crashed over following a well-executed driving line-out.
Despite a strong start, Warriors, who lost Nick Schonert following a knock to his shoulder, were struggling to keep their opponents quiet as they soon fell further behind.
Centre Sam Hill sprinted through Worcester’s defence before offloading to Lees, who went in under the posts to leave a simple conversion for Gareth Steenson to dispatch.
Warriors continued to battle as Mieres landed a penalty, but the fly half’s failure to add another just before the break seemed to hand the initiative to Exeter, who led 12-6 at half time.
As the heavens opened, the Premiership side used their powerful pack to their advantage as they forced their opposite numbers on the back foot before skipper Yeandle touched down for his second try. Steenson added the extras.
Warriors were determined to give their fans something to cheer as they piled forward, but James Percival was stopped just short of the line.
Despite going a man down when Waldrom saw yellow, Exeter were camped in Worcester’s half for long periods and with a minute left on the clock they struck again.
After spending ten minutes in the sin-bin, Waldrom made amends as he drove over in the corner, which Henry Slade converted to round off the victory.