Worcester earn vital Gloucester victory

Bryce Heem scored a brace of tries to help Worcester to a 28-20 Aviva Premiership victory over Gloucester at Sixways.

The victory gives Worcester more breathing space from the relegation batttle between Newcastle and London Irish below them in 11th and 12th places respectively.

The hosts won for the first time in four meetings against head coach Dean Ryan’s former club, having lost the three previous meetings in the Premiership and European Challenge Cup.

For Gloucester, the chance to move into the top four was wasted thanks to their continuing away troubles, having won just once on the road this season. Worcester move 13 points clear of bottom side London Irish, with Bryce Heem’s two tries proving to be the difference between the rivals.

Former Gloucester player Ryan Mills set up the perfect start for the hosts, kicking over the backs, causing confusion, Bryce Heem to cross between the posts. Tom Heathcote added the extras. James Hook had a chance to reduce the arrears, but his penalty sailed wide of the posts.

Two penalties later, and having both times aimed for the corner, the pressure paid off as Bill Meakes touched down, with Hook levelling the score. The parity did not last long, as Worcester retook the lead through a Heathcote penalty awarded for offside, only for Gloucester to make it 10-10 via the boot of Hook for a foul on the 22. Again, it took just moments for another chance to come, but Heathcote’s long-range penalty hit the post.

The disappointment around the ground soon turned to jubilation as Heem scored his second try of the afternoon shortly after Ross Moriarty was sent to the sin-bin for the visitors, crossing the whitewash in the corner. Heatcote failed to convert, but Worcester led 15-10 at the break. Following a largely quiet opening to the second half, Worcester extended their lead 15 minutes into the restart.

The decision went to the TMO, but Francois Hougaard’s effort was given at the foot of the posts. Heathcote added the extras to give the home side control of the game.

The deficit was reduced somewhat once Hook kicked his second successful penalty of the afternoon, but immediately the 12 point buffer was restored through Heathcote after an in infringement in the scrum.

Gloucester were not done there however, with Hook converting his own try having spun around his defender to touch down, making for an exciting last 10 minutes.

Any chance of a dramatic comeback was dashed by Heathcote, whose penalty just about made it through the posts and take it to the final score of 28-20.

Final Score Worcester 28 (15) Gloucester 20 (10)

Scorers

Worcester
Tries – Heem (2), Annett
Pen – Heathcote (2)
Con – Heathcote (3)
Drop –

Gloucester
Tries – Meakes, Hook
Pen – Hook (2)
Con – Hook (2)
Drop –

Match Officials
Referee :Ian Tempest (16th Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Peter Allan & John Meredith.
TMO: Rowan Kitt.

Teams

Warriors

15 Chris Pennell , 14 Bryce Heem , 13 Wynand Olivier , 12 Ryan Mills , 11 Cooper Vuna , 10 Tom Heathcote , 9 Francois Hougaard , 1 Val Rapava Ruskin , 2 Niall Annett , 3 Nick Schonert , 4 Donncha O’Callaghan , 5 Darren Barry , 6 Phil Dowson , 7 Carl Kirwan , 8 GJ van Velze (C)

Replacements : 16 Ben Sowrey , 17 Na’ama Leleimalefaga , 18 James Johnston , 19 Dan Sanderson , 20 Sam Betty , 21 Luke Baldwin , 22 Ryan Lamb , 23 Andy Symons

Gloucester

15. Rob Cook; 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Bill Meakes, 12. Billy Twelvetrees (capt), 11. David Halaifonua; 10. James Hook, 9. Willi Heinz; 1. Nick Wood, 2. Richard Hibbard, 3. John Afoa; 4. Tom Savage, 5. Jeremy Thrush; 6. Sione Kalamafoni, 7. Matt Kvesic, 8. Ross Moriarty

Replacements: 16. Darren Dawidiuk, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. Paul Doran-Jones, 19. Mariano Galarza, 20. Lewis Ludlow, 21. Callum Braley, 22. Henry Trinder, 23. Steve McColl