WORCESTER Warriors enjoyed a dream return to professional rugby with a dramatic 29-19 win against Coventry Rugby at a sold-out Sixways Stadium.
Warriors overturned a 12-point half-time deficit as a late penalty from Will Reed edged Worcester into the lead before Ashley Challenger crossed for a last-minute try.
Challenger’s score sealed a bonus point win for Matt Everard’s side after Reed, Tom Seabrook and Matt Kvesic crossed for tries earlier in the contest.
The result means Worcester sit fifth in the Champ Rugby table with Warriors one of five teams to take maximum points from the opening weekend of the season.
A capacity crowd greeted Warriors onto the pitch as supporters flocked to see Worcester in a competitive fixture for the first time since the club entered administration in September 2022.
However, Coventry looked to spoil the party atmosphere and scored the game’s first try on eight minutes when Senitiki Nayalo powered over from close range after Worcester had Tim Anstee sent to the sin-bin.
Worcester responded two minutes later when Reed crossed in the corner following a break from Will Biggs as Reed converted his own try.
The visitors wrestled back control of the game and reclaimed the lead on 20 minutes as Peter Sullivan went over in the corner.
And David Opoku-Fordjour crashed over five minutes later to send Coventry into the break with a 12-point advantage.
Worcester reduced the deficit five minutes into the second half when Tom Seabrook powered his way over under the posts.
And Warriors drew level four minutes later as former Coventry player Matt Kvesic drove over in the corner.
Worcester took the lead with just three minutes left to play as Reed kicked a penalty to put Warriors ahead for the first time in the match.
And the home side sealed a memorable victory with the clock in the red as Challenger emerged from a pile of bodies with the ball to secure a bonus point win for Warriors.
Worcester are next in action against Hartpury on Saturday, October 11 with kick-off at 2.30pm at Hartpury Stadium.
