Warriors leave it late
Kai Horstmann's late try gave Worcester Warriors a 23-22 win over Bedford in the semi-final of the Championship play-offs.
Last Updated: 01/05/11 8:02pm
Kai Horstmann's late try gave Worcester Warriors a 23-22 victory over Bedford in the semi-final of the Championship play-offs.
Horstmann bundled his way over in the 77th minute and Joe Carlisle landed the conversion to put the Warriors ahead for the first time in the match.
There was further drama to come as Bedford got in field position for a drop-goal attempt, which sailed wide - much to the relief of the Sixways Stadium faithful.
Bedford led 19-3 after 24 minutes thanks to Edd Thrower's converted try and four James Pritchard penalties.
Worcester responded shortly before the break when former England fly-half Andy Goode crossed for a try, which he converted himself.
Two further Goode penalties to Pritchard's one brought the hosts back within six points, setting the stage for Horstmann's game-winning intervention.
Promotion
The result was bad news for Aviva Premiership strugglers Leeds Carnegie and Newcastle Falcons.
Worcester are the only side to qualify for the play-offs who meet the criteria required to play top-flight rugby and a Bedford win would have meant no club would have been promoted, granting either rock-bottom Leeds or second-bottom Newcastle, who are a point ahead with one game to go, a reprieve.
Leeds or Newcastle may yet escape the drop as Worcester now face the Cornish Pirates in the final, after the westcountrymen saw off London Welsh 18-10 in the other semi-final.
And a defeat in that two-legged encounter for Richard Hill's men would mean the same 12 teams will compete in the top-flight next season.
