Exeter 16 Worcester 10

WORCESTER'S seemingly un-stoppable charge to Premiership One has suddenly slammed to a standstill within 15 shocking days.

After the defeat at Leeds and poor display at home to Orrell they have now seen their record against Exeter worsen to just one win in five meetings.

And though they complained about a first half penalty count of 20-5 in favour of Exeter they lost the game because they made more basic errors.

The 16-10 defeat was caused by too many turnovers and too many handling errors although Nick Baxter very nearly scored a spectacular winner in the dying seconds.

Worcester lost the toss so played with a strong wind in the first half and immediately took advantage when Jim Jenner scored from a push-over scrum after just seven minutes.

But it was Exeter rather than Worcester who then took control.

Their flankers were outstanding, open side Blair Foote was full of running while Gary Willis produced some thunderous tackles.

Worcester's Jamie Connolly produced one of his own to deny centre centre Iain Leighton but Exeter edged their way back with two penalties in front of the posts for stand-off Sam Howard.

Tony Yapp then kicked a penalty from long range but Howard matched him despite kicking into the wind so Exeter trailed just 10-9 at half-time. Galvanised by the elements, Exeter then decamped to the Worcester 22 and after intense pressure, including six close range scrums, lock Derek Cross crashed over from close range to put his side in front for the first time.

Ben Harvey had replaced Tony Yapp at half-time and slowly Worcester fought their way back into the game but they only looked like scoring during a final ten minutes of high drama.

First they tried to shove over from a line-out, then they spurned space wide on the right and lost vital ground through a turn-over from Sateki Tuipulotu and two penalties against Harvey for holding on.

Yet there was still time for another desperate glory bid when Howard's attempted drop-goal was charged down allowing Baxter on a 70-metre charge which was only halted by a last-ditch tackle by full-back Craig Townsend.

After four close range scrums, which all wheeled round, Baxter then had another chance coming in on a good angle from the 22 only to be hauled down inches from the line.

Marco Caputo then knocked on and Exeter celebrated like they had won the league, a league Worcester no longer control.

Worcester: Tuipulotu, Myler, Woof (Baxter 38), Connolly, Walker, Yapp (Harvey 40), Fenley, Windo (Yates 71), Caputo, Lyman, Denhardt (Sims 60), Raymond, Cockle, Carter, Jenner (Devereux 60).

Replacements not used: Richards, Martens.

Attendance: 1,600.