Warriors power past Quins
PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Jamie Shillcock’s second-half try powered Worcester Warriors to their second win of the season, with a 19-14 victory over Harlequins at The Stoop.
Jono Lance got the first points of the game with his boot following successive penalties in Worcester’s favour, but Quins responded immediately and Alex Dombrandt edged their noses in front after slipping through a gap in the away defence to score.
James Chisholm stretched the home advantage with the match’s second try after good pressure from Francis Saili, and steely defence at the other end of the pitch kept the Warriors at bay.
A second Lance penalty reduced Worcester’s arrears in the 33rd minute, and after an even period of play, the Australian kicked three more points with the last action of the first half to make it 14-9 in the hosts’ favour at the break.
The visitors started the second half in determined spirits and a testing grubber kick from Ed Fidow put them within inches of the home tryline, but once again Harlequins stood firm to retain their lead.
But Worcester was rewarded for their persistence when Shillcock – making his first league appearance in 11 months – bulldozed over in the corner and Lance converted to give Worcester the lead with only 12 minutes remaining.
And Lance stretched the winning margin with a last-gasp penalty to secure a vital Warriors win ahead of two weeks of European action.
The scorers:
For Harlequins:
Tries: Dombrandt, Chisholm
Cons: Smith 2
For Worcester Warriors:
Try: Shillcock
Con: Lance
Pens: Lance 4
Teams:
Harlequins: 15 Ross Chisholm, 14 Cadan Murley, 13 James Lang, 12 Francis Saili, 11 Gabriel Ibitoye, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Alex Dombrandt, 7 Will Evans, 6 James Chisholm (captain), 5 Tevita Cavubati, 4 Glen Young, 3 Will Collier, 2 Elia Elia, 1 Santiago Garcia Botta.
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Simon Kerrod, 19 Dino Lamb, 20 Tom Lawday, 21 Niall Saunders, 22 Michele Campagnaro, 23 Vereniki Goneva.
Worcester Warriors: 15 Jamie Shillcock, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Ed Fidow, 10 Jono Lance (captain), 9 Michael Heaney, 8 Cornell du Preez, 7 Sam Lewis, 6 Ted Hill, 5 Graham Kitchener, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Richard Palframan, 2 Niall Annett, 1 Ethan Waller.
Replacements: 16 Joe Taufete’e, 17 Callum Black, 18 Conor Carey, 19 Michael Fatialofa, 20 GJ van Velze, 21 Jono Kitto, 22 Ollie Lawrence, 23 Perry Humphreys.
Referee: Matthew Carley
Assistant referees: John Meredith & Gareth Holsgrove.
TMO: David Rose.
Source: @premrugby
