COOPER Vuna pipped fellow New Zealand-born wing Bryce Heem to Worcester Warriors’ top try-scorer’s prize in this season’s Aviva Premiership.

And Heem will rue a couple of moments in their final match of the season against Saracens that denied him at least a share of the spoils.

“We were both well aware we were tied at the top with seven tries each going to the final game,” said Heem.

Vuna finished off a superb passing move in the first half of their 43-19 defeat to Sarries to move one try ahead of his wing partner.

But Heem was poised to draw level when he supported a break from Dan Sanderson only for the departing lock to fail with a chip over the last defender.

Then in the dying minutes Heem’s length-of the-field burst was supported by Carl Kirwan and touched down by Vuna, who grabbed a ninth try.

“After Coops scored his first try in the first half, I said to him, ‘I am next, mate’ but he snuck in and stole my try at the end,” said Heem.

“But fair play to Coops – that was nine tries for him for the season so he's done well.

“I think it was just so noisy that Dan couldn’t hear my call and tight forwards are not used to being in open spaces, so I will let him off.”

Heem was impressed with the all-action display from Alex Grove, who gave everything in a Warriors shirt after 10 years at Sixways.

“Alex made some great breaks and helped me to make the break for our last try with some questionable blocking," said Heem.

“Alex thought he was quite lucky to get away with it but we took it because you don’t always get the rub of the green in this sport.

“I think it’s quite tough to set someone up to score but he went close a couple of times. If he had gone over, it would have been a great finish to a stellar career at Sixways."

He added: “I only met Alex this season and I can see why Worcester have kept him for 10 years because he’s such a great guy to have around.”

Grove was “quite overwhelmed” in the dressing room after bringing down the curtain on his Sixways career.

“We made sure Alex had a little going-away present from all the lads," said Heem.

“He had a framed photograph with a few quotes and all the guys signed a card.

“I think Alex was quite overwhelmed by it and he had a great last game in a Worcester jersey.”