Saturday, September 21, 2002

THE script had already been written, the ink dry by the time Tony Yapp stepped up to add the coup de grace.

Yapp was about to enter the sporting chapter entitled 'returning heroes haunt former coaches' with six minutes left of a pulsating Sixways encounter as he stood over a penalty which would have tied the game 28-28.

However, the penalty was scuffed, the ball sailed wide and the script torn apart as Worcester hung on for a 28-25 victory in front of more than 3,000 supporters.

Exeter are far from being a true National One title contender but this was Yapp's chance for personal vengeance after being shown the Sixways door in the summer. And despite a composed display from Yapp which reaped 20 points, he was understandably low key after failing to deny his former employers.

"It was disappointing but the boys have said it's not because of that last kick that we lost the match," he said.

"Thinking back to before the kick, I was quite happy and in a good rhythm. I didn't do anything different to the previous kicks. I've been reading Neil Jenkins' autobiography and in that he says some days it is just not meant to be. I think that's the case for me, unfortunately. It would have been great to have levelled it, especially back here."

Consolation for Yapp should be that Worcester were plainly superior to Exeter despite the returning trio of Dave Sims, Alistair Murdoch and the fly half. The scoreline would not have been close but for a quite scandalous performance from the overly officious referee Geraint Ashton-Jones.

New RFU guidelines warn supporters over the importance of respecting officials in the wake of Irishman David McHugh's assault. It's a fair point but referees cannot expect to be above criticism if they continue to wreck games in which crowds pay good money to attend.

In the event, the players did well despite the referee. Converted first half tries from David Officer -- his fourth in two games -- and Ben Hinshelwood gave Worcester a good platform but Exeter were always in the game thanks to Yapp's three penalties and a delightful drop goal.

In between, Gary Willis and Tony Windo were shown yellow cards as tempers began to fray.

If Exeter were chasing the game going into the break, their ambition switched to victory as Glenn Bunny's powerful try and Yapp's conversion gave the Chiefs a 19-14 lead. That ambition was pierced, however, three minutes later as the rejuvenated Jim Jenner -- back in the side because of Christian Evans' shoulder injury -- dived over to put Worcester back in front. Replacement James Brown converted and, on the hour, Windo started and finished a fine 30-metre drive to collect the fourth and bonus point try.

Brown again slotted the extra points but Yapp dragged Exeter back in the game with two more penalties to set up the grandstand finish.

Not one that Yapp will want to remember but if fate is playing a part in the promotion race this season, it is a kick which may prove to be vital.

How ironic, after all his time at Sixways, that that penalty miss might be his most important contribution yet to the future of Worcester.

Worcester: Roke 6, Ezulike 6, Officer 7, Hinshelwood 7, Garrard 7; Chalmers 6, Swanepoel 7; Windo 7, Pearson 7, Olver 7, Zaltzman 7, Morgan 8, Gabey 8, Pfister 6, JENNER 9.

Replacements: O'Reilly 6 (Swanepoel 63), Brown 7 (Chalmers 40), Trueman (Officer 80), Hall 6 (Pearson 63), Davis, Nias, Bates 6 (Zaltzman 63).