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Goode inspires Warriors to victory

Buy photos » Andy Goode crashes over to put Worcester Warriors into the lead against Gloucester. Picture by Ian Smith

Worcester Warriors 21 Gloucester 15

Aviva Premiership

Geoff Berkeley reports from Sixways

SECOND half tries from Andy Goode and Marcel Garvey helped Worcester Warriors come from behind to defeat Gloucester in front of a packed house at Sixways on Saturday.

Charlie Sharples’ try separated the two sides at the break as the visitors led 10-6.

But Richard Hill’s side battled back following the inspirational impact of substitute Goode and a superb try from Garvey.

Jonny May got one back for the visitors but it wasn’t enough as Warriors hung on to secure back to back Aviva Premiership wins.

The victory also puts the Sixways outfit up to ninth in the table and 13 points clear of bottom side Newcastle Falcons, who were defeated by Exeter Chiefs.

Looking to build on last week’s narrow victory away to London Wasps, Warriors demonstrated early on that they were not going to be pushed over by Gloucester.

But after an evenly fought start, it was the visitors who grabbed the lead on 10 minutes with a penalty from Freddie Burns.

Worcester were quick to find a response as three minutes later Joe Carlisle slotted over to level the match.

The two sides continued to test each other’s defences before the breakthrough finally came for Gloucester.

After strong work from their forwards, the ball was moved across the backs before Sharples evaded tackles to go over in the corner. Once the try was confirmed by the TMO, Burns stepped up to knock over the conversion to give his side a 10-3 lead.

Gloucester looked to continue their momentum and hammer home the advantage but they were thwarted by some brave defensive work from Warriors.

And they were rewarded with Carlisle finishing the half off with a penalty to reduce his side’s deficit to four points.

That was to be the final act from the fly-half, who was replaced by Goode at the interval.

And he came close to making an instant impact but his penalty cannoned off the post.

The 31-year-old was quick to make amends though as he received Jonny Arr’s pass before darting through the middle to score under the posts to leave a simple conversion for himself to add.

With Warriors in the lead for the first time at 13-10, Gloucester were determined to bounce back but a knock on from Scott Lawson scuppered their move towards the line.

And they were soon made to pay as a high tackle handed Goode another chance at the sticks, which he clinically dispatched to open up a six point gap.

Despite conceding, the visitors continued to pile on the pressure but for little reward as Warriors held firm.

And against the run of play, Warriors got the next score and in some style. A poor kick from Henry Trinder fell kindly for Garvey, who sprinted clear from deep inside his own half before touching down to give his side a commanding 21-10 lead.

With less than 15 minutes remaining this was ultimately the match clincher. May went over late on with a well-worked try for Gloucester.

But this only secured a bonus point for the visitors as Warriors ran down the clock to see out the win.