FULL-TIME: Worcester Warriors 23-22 Bedford Blues (From Worcester News)

FULL-TIME: Worcester Warriors 23-22 Bedford Blues

11:00am Sunday 1st May 2011 in Warriors By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

IN a dramatic conclusion, Warriors have kept their promotion dream alive with a nail-biting one-point victory over Bedford Blues in the Championship semi-final.

There were talking points galore as Worcester fought back from 19-3 behind to snatch the vital victory.

Kai Horstmann scored the key try, which nerveless Joe Carlisle converted to edge Warriors in front.

However, the most relieved man in Sixways would have been Graham Kitchener who dropped the ball over the line while prematurely celebrating a try.

Myles Dorrian missed a last-gasp drop-goal for Bedford to have spoilt Worcester's party.

See tomorrow's Worcester News for a full match report, reaction and pictures.

WARRIORS have come back into the game after Bedford raced into a 16-point lead.

The visitors caught Worcester cold with a high-octane start and three penalties from skipper James Pritchard and his conversion of Edd Thrower's try gave the home side an almighty scare.

However, as the game wore on Worcester came more into it and Tom Arscott's dazzling break sent Andy Goode over for a crucial try.

The fly-half added the conversion and two penalties to drag his side back into the contest.

The question remains how long Bedford can keep up such a high tempo. An enthralling 40 minutes is ahead.

• Click here for the very latest Worcester Warriors match updates and news - Tom Guest on Twitter.

GOOD afternoon and welcome to Sixways for the Worcester News' live coverage of today's winner-takes-all Championship semi-final between Worcester Warriors and Bedford Blues (12.15pm).

Click the link above to follow live updates of the crucial clash via twitter.

For Warriors, flying winger Marcel Garvey, who has scored an impressive 21 tries in 28 games this season, will make his 100th appearance as head coach Richard Hill recalls his big guns following the British & Irish Cup semi-final defeat at Bedford.

Hill has opted to retain the same starting line-up and replacements bench that secured a record-breaking 81-13 victory over Bristol in the last league fixture at Sixways.

Captain Chris Pennell (rib), Pat Sanderson (shoulder) and Adam Balding (broken toe) are all unavailable for selection due to injury, so Kai Horstmann will again lead the side.

Warriors: Arscott; Garvey, Crockett, Rasmussen, Benjamin; Goode, Arr; A Black, Lutui, Taumoepeau, Rawlinson, Gillies, Best, Kvesic, Horstmann. Replacements: Fortey, Douglas, Kitchener, Abbott, Frost, Carlisle, Grove.

Bedford: Thrower; Schmidt, Dorrian, Bedford, Pritchard; Sharp, Chudley; Seal, Richmond, Boulton, Howard, Kruis, Gillanders, Rae, Tupai. Replacements: Locke, Walshe, Tomes, Goodman, Fraser, Veenendaal, Taylor.