Chiefs bow out of Sevens

By Mark Stevens

Worcester Warriors and Gloucester booked their places at the JP Morgan Sevens Finals night by emerging victorious out of Group A at Kingsholm.

Mark Hewitt's Warriors produced an unblemished record in front of nearly 13,000 supporters as they recorded victories over hosts Gloucester, Bath and the Exeter Chiefs.

On a tough night for Ricky Pellow's Exeter side, the Chiefs produced some creditable showings in all three group games, but they were unable to claim any kind of success as they bowed out bottom of the group.

Up against the Warriors in their opening game of the night, the Chiefs were left to bemoan a disappointing first half as they slipped to a 26-17 defeat.

Tries from Rhys Owen and the experienced Paul Hodgson, one of which was converted by Tiff Eden, gave the Warriors a 12-0 lead at the break. And they extended that advantage shortly after the break as Matt Stelling and Richard De Carpentier both found their way over the whitewash as Eden converted both.

At 26-0 down, the Chiefs needed a response of sorts and following an excellent try from Tom Dowding, which Jamie Forrester converted, they suddenly began to find some form. Skipper Jack Arnott added a second before Ollie Claxton claimed a third with the very last move of the match.

Things didn't get any better for the Chiefs in their second outing as a late Max Clark try denied them victory against Bath.

Having again started slowly, Pellow's side found themselves 10-0 in the opening period as Army stars Ray Bishop and Tuvita Tamatawale both crossed for scores.

Dowding countered with a try for Exeter just before the interval, but a yellow card to Forrester early in the half allowed Bath to exploit the numbers game and send Anthony Watson over for a third score.

Just as they had done in their opening game, the Chiefs came roaring back and thanks to a double from Stu Townsend, one of which was converted, it appear the Devon club could be on course for their first win of the night.

Sadly it was not to be as Watson's charging break created the opening for Clark to strike with the last play of the match and make it 20-17.

Even though they were winless in their opening two games, Exeter went into their final fixture against the Cherry & Whites knowing that a four-try victory could still see them snatch the final qualifying spot after results elsewhere went their way.

Gloucester, however, had other ideas and they stormed into a 21-0 lead thanks to converted tries from Steph Reynolds (2) and Gareth Evans.

Sam Blanchet's converted try reduced the arrears before the Chiefs hit back strongly in the second period with quickfire scores from Townsend and Benji Vellacott to make it 21-19.

But no sooner had Pellow's youngsters given themselves a chance, they were undone by a crucial fourth try from Evans, which Burns again converted to seal the win.