WARRIORS.

8 Pennell – was exceptional in all departments, especially under the high ball, but his shanked kick to touch in the closing stages was crucial to the result.

8 Humphreys – produced a superb break and 40-metre run to score his first before doing brilliantly to spin away from Hogg and cross in the corner for his second.

7 Beck – made plenty of ground when he did get hold of the ball and got off the defensive line well to help shut down Exeter’s attack, almost getting an intercept.

7 Mills – refused to let anyone get down his channel and was a menace at the breakdown but was penalised for an illegal clear-out that denied his side one final attack.

7 Nanai – a strong display from the wing who put in weighed in with big hits on Hogg and Hill and produced a delightful offload to Pennell.

8 WEIR – embodied Warriors’ defensive effort with 20 tackles – more than anyone else -, kicked superbly off the tee and almost scored in the corner. My man of the match.

7 Heaney – tasked with filling Hougaard’s boots, the scrum-half kept Warriors ticking with sharp deliveries and exited well.

6 Black – held firm in defence but added little in the loose and was penalised twice as Warriors’ scrum struggled all evening.

7 Annett – accurate at the lineout and was in double digits in tackles made, missing none as he emptied his tank before being replaced.

5 Carey – found life difficult at scrum-time, conceding three penalties, and almost cost his side a try when he missed a tackle on Cuthbert.

7 Bresler – was strong in the air and did a lot of the ugly stuff, helping Warriors hold Exeter out for long periods before making way for Fatialofa.

8 Kitchener – was one of Worcester’s top defenders with 17 tackles and cause Chiefs problems in the lineout, claiming one important steal.

7 Hill – got through a lot of defensive work but conceded one too many turnovers with a couple of handling mistakes.

8 Lewis – was almost everywhere in the opening period as he made a crucial catch which led to Humphreys’ second score before being forced off with a head injury.

8 Du Preez – made a series of dominant carries and tackles as he made a big impact in the game and sneaked in a grubber kick in the second half.

Replacements: Mama 7 (Lewis 35), Waller 7 (Black 51), Palframan 6 (Carey 51), Fatialofa 4 (Bresler 54), van Velze 6 (du Preez 57), Venter (Mama 75). Not used: Simpson.

Chiefs: Hogg; O’Flaherty, Whitten, S Hill (Hendrickson 63), Cuthbert; Simmonds, Maunder (White 51); Hepburn (Keast 63), Yeandle, Williams, Dennis (Lonsdale 61), J Hill, Ewers, Vermeulen (Kirsten 67), Kvesic. Replacements not used: Taione, Street, Steenson.

Referee: T Foley.

Attendance: 8,598.

RUN OF PLAY.

0-3: Simmonds penalty, 6mins.

5-3: Humphreys try, 9mins.

7-3: Weir conv, 10mins.

10-3: Weir penalty, 15mins.

15-3: Humphreys try, 27mins.

17-3: Weir conv, 28mins.

17-8: Maunder try, 39mins.

17-10: Simmonds conv, 40mins.

Half-time: Worcester Warriors 17-10 Exeter Chiefs.

17-15: Kvesic try, 64mins.

17-17: Simmonds conv, 65mins.

20-17: Weir penalty, 69mins.

20-22: Williams try, 75mins.

20-24: Simmonds conv, 76mins.

Full-time: Worcester Warriors 20-24 Exeter Chiefs.