Chiefs give Warriors a fright

Halloween maybe a few days away, but Worcester’s Aviva Premiership campaign is in danger of turning into a horror show after they were dealt a six-try thumping by the in-form Exeter Chiefs.

Rob Baxter’s side returned to top flight action with aplomb, producing a defiant first half defensive show, before cutting loose in attack after the break.

Aussies Ben White and Dean Mumm both crossed for first half tries for the home side; before White, Phil Dollman, Damian Welch and Haydn Thomas got in on the scoring act after the break. Former Exeter player Ignacio Mieres countered with two first half penalties for the basement club, but that was all they could muster against their rampant Devon hosts.

Resuming league duties after the first leg of their European exploits, the Chiefs made three changes to their starting line-up from that which had narrowly lost at Glasgow Warriors last time out.

Up front Brett Sturgess and Jack Yeandle returned to the Exeter front-row, whilst behind Tongan international Fetu’u Vainikolo was handed his first Premiership start following a hamstring injury to Ian Whitten.

The Warriors, meanwhile, handed debuts to front-row duo Ofa Fainga’anuka and Agustin Creevy, as well as lock Mariano Galarza; whilst behind the scrum Jonny Arr came in for his first start of the season in a half-back pairing that included former Chief Mieres.

Chiefs: P Dollman; F Vainikolo, J Shoemark, S Hill, M Jess, G Steenson (H Slade 67), D Lewis (H Thomas 57); B Sturgess (B Moon 56), J Yeandle (C Whitehead 55), H Tui (A Brown 63); D Mumm (capt, D Armand 65), D Welch; T Johnson, B White, D Ewers (K Horstmann 63). Tries - White (2), Mumm, Dollman, Welch, Thomas; Conversions – Steenson (4), Slade.

Warriors: C Pennell; D Hammond, A Grove, J Matavesi, D Lemi; I Mieres (P Warwick 55), J Arr (J Su’u 63); O Fainga’anuku (J Becasseau 55), A Creevey (C Brooker 57), E Murray (R O’Donnell 70); D Schofield (M Williams 48), M Galarzo; R de Carpentier, J Abbott (C Jones 37), J Thomas (capt). Replacement (not used): B Howard. Penalties – Mieres (2) Referee: J-P Doyle Attendance: 7,074.

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v Sale Sharks (A), Aviva Premiership, Friday, November 1 (8pm).

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Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency