James Short bagged himself a hat-trick as Exeter overpowered Worcester 48-32 in a high-scoring encounter at Sixways.
The hosts started on the front foot, winger Josh Adams grabbing the first try of the afternoon after just four minutes. A break from talismanic scrum-half Francois Hougaard was finished off from close range by the young winger.
Exeter didn't take long to hit back, after a break from James Short was finished off by Gareth Steenson. The fly-half converted his own try to level the scores.
Warriors re-established their lead a few minutes later with a penalty from Ryan Mills. Worcester continued to press and scored their second try a few minutes later, young full-back Perry Humphreys finishing out wide.
Exeter kept themselves within a score when Short scored a try of his own just before the half hour mark, Steenson's stunning conversion from out wide bringing the Chiefs to within a point.
The teams continued to exchange blows, a Mills penalty almost immediately cancelled out by Steenson, and Worcester led 18-17 at half time.
Rob Baxter's men came out firing in the second half, Olly Woodburn finding himself in space out wide and finishing to give his side the lead after Faosiliva was shown yellow for Worcester. The Chiefs continued to press and secured the bonus point with Short scoring his second try of the game, Henry Slade taking over the kicking duties and slotting the extras.
With the man advantage, Exeter continued to pull away, this time Carl Rimmer dotted down after a powerful driving maul from the visitors.
Warriors wouldn't give up however, Bryce Heem's try on the hour mark giving them hope heading into the final 20 minutes. That hope was quashed when Michele Campagnaro crossed for Exeter minutes later to take them past 40 points on the day.
The game was sealed with Short grabbing his hat-trick after a quick move out wide from the Chiefs. But, Worcester wouldn't leave the game empty handed, Jackson Willison's last gasp try securing them a four try bonus point.
The scorers:
For Worcester Warriors:
Tries: Adams, Humphreys, Heem, Willison
Cons: Mills 2, Lamb
Pens: Mills 2
For Exeter Chiefs:
Tries: Steenson, Short 3, Woodburn, Simmonds, Campagnaro
Cons: Steenson 2, Slade 3
Pens: Steenson
Worcester Warriors: 15 Josh Adams, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Perry Humphreys, 10 Ryan Mills, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Alafoti Faosiliva, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Chris Vui, 5 Will Spencer, 4 Donncha O’Callaghan (c), 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Ryan Bower
Replacements: 16 Joe Taufete’e, 17 Val Rapava Ruskin, 18 Biyi Alo, 19 Tevita Cavubati , 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Luke Baldwin, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Ben Howard
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Olly Woodburn, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Henry Slade, 11 James Short, 10 Gareth Steenson (c), 9 Jack Maunder, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Don Armand, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Mitch Lees, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Jack Yeandle, 1 Ben Moon
Replacements: 16 Shaun Malton, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Thomas Waldrom, 21 Stuart Townsend, 22 Ian Whitten, 23 Lachie Turner
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant Referees: Dean Richards, Paul Burton
TMO: Rowan Kitt
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