Horstmann scores on return, but Cavs edged out (From Worcester News)

Horstmann scores on return, but Cavs edged out

10:44am Tuesday 21st February 2012 in Warriors

BACK row Kai Horstmann was among the scorers on his comeback as Worcester Cavaliers lost 31-29 in the final minute to Bath United at The Rec in a friendly clash.

Neil Best and Horstmann both made playing returns, while Adam Balding and Ceri Jones also featured, as Cavaliers fought back from 16-0 down to take the lead with seven minutes left courtesy of a superb score from prop James Currie.

But back came Bath and a penalty try in then dying seconds saw them draw level before Ed Hainsworth won the game with the final kick of the match.

The hosts made a stunning start and raced into a commanding lead after 20 minutes with tries from Jamie-John Kilmartin and Richard Lane.

Worcester responded with young hooker Ollie Hayes and Horstmann going over before the break as Cavaliers went in 16-12 behind.

Bath extended the lead after the interval as, while Worcester were a man light with Charlie Hayter yellow-carded, Tom Baldwin went over.

Cavaliers hit back in sensational fashion as wing Tom Arscott worked space down then right before cutting back inside and beating three men with a snaking run to score under the posts. Tom Carlisle added the extras to bring Worcester back within two points.

A big scrum gave Carlisle the chance to nudge Worcester ahead for the first time on the night, before Bath regained the lead with a drop-goal from Hainsworth.

A superb crunching run from highly-rated Currie then saw him blast past tacklers and run over from 20 metres. But it was to no avail as the home side surged forward in the closing moments and won a succession of penalties before, with Worcester again a man light in the sin bin, the referee awarded a penalty try and gave Hainsworth the simplest of kicks to snatch the win.