7 Pennell – Brushed aside for Armand’s late try but showed his experience to win a first-half penalty from a high ball which Heathcote landed.

6 Heem – Made a 45-metre break in the first half to put Warriors on the front but a handling error at the restart put Worcester under pressure and ultimately cost three points.

6 Olivier – Strong defensively but made a couple of handling errors under pressure in a frantic opening 40 minutes.

6 Mills – Cleared danger with strong kicks in the first half and threw himself around until he was replaced by Symons after 70 minutes.

6 Vuna – At his attacking best in the opening 40 minutes with one scintillating break and a handful of neat offloads. Didn’t see too much of the ball in the second period.

6 Heathcote – A mixed bag for the fly-half. He landed five penalties from six attempts but was guilty of failing to find Vuna with a try-scoring pass. Kicked poorly out of hand.

6 Baldwin – A steady display from the scrum-half who worked hard defensively but put his centres under pressure at times with slow delivery. Replaced by Mulchrone with eight minutes remaining.

8 LELEIMALEFAGA – A very impressive and influential display from the giant prop who helped put Warriors’ scrum in command. He was replaced by Bower after 70 minutes.

7 Annett – Was off-target with one line-out throw in the second half but continues to grow in stature with every match. Outstanding work-rate from the Belfast-born hooker.

7 Schonert – Gave a whole-hearted display and helped Warriors get the upper hand in the scrum. Replaced by Johnston after 57 minutes.

7 O'Callaghan – A disciplined showing from the former Munster man who was impressive at the breakdown, particularly in the opening 40 minutes.

6 Cavubati – Not as influential as in previous outings but the big Fijian demonstrated his strength and ball-carrying skills in the first half.

7 Dowson – The former Northampton Saints star must be one of the first names on Worcester’s teamsheet. Needed treatment in the first half after taking a heavy collision and played the full 80 minutes.

7 Mama – Worked hard and carried strongly until he was replaced by Cox in the 64th minute.

7 Velze – A positive return to Premiership action after injury for the skipper who made crucial tackles as Chiefs stepped up a notch.

Replacements: Johnston (Schonert 57, 6), Cox (Mama 64), Bower (Leleimalefaga 70), Symons (Mills 70), Mulchrone (Baldwin 72). Not used: Sowrey, Sanderson, Hammond.

Attendance: 8,215.

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys.

RUN OF PLAY: 0-5: Short try (3 mins).

3-5: Heathcote penalty (11 mins).

6-5: Heathcote penalty (22 mins).

6-10: Whitten try (29 mins).

6-12: Steenson conversion (29 mins).

9-12: Heathcote penalty (32 mins).

12-12: Heathcote penalty (38 mins).

12-15: Steenson penalty (42 mins).

15-15: Heathcote penalty (45 mins).

15-20: Waldrom try (59 mins).

15-22: Steenson conversion (59 mins).

15-27: Armand try (70 mins).

15-30: Steenson penalty (75 mins).