Warriors hit new low

Worcester Warriors ended their season on a low note with a 23-22 defeat to neighbours Gloucester at Sixways.

But the home side could have snatched victory with the last kick of the game, only for replacement Willie Walker's 22-metre drop-goal to agonisingly hit an upright.

This so-near-yet-so-far defeat summed up their miserable season, after their do-or-die 12-10 loss to relegation rivals Leeds Carnegie a fortnight ago.

Rugby director Mike Ruddock had departed the club following that gut-wrenching defeat, leaving caretaker coach Andrew Stanley to pick the side this time.

He rang the changes to the starting line-up from Headingley, as the Warriors ended their six-year stay in the top-flight.

This looked to have done the trick as the home side started in positive fashion, taking the lead when fly-half Joe Carlisle began a good move which led to wing Chris Pennell going over for the first try of the match.

The home side then looked to have gone even further ahead when Australian full-back star Chris Latham, playing his final game for the Warriors after a two-year stay, went over, only for the try to be ruled out for offside.

First chance

The visitors - who had brought in England number eight Luke Narraway for Adam Eustace in the only change from the side which beat London Irish in their last league clash - took their first chance to get points on the board as Welsh fly-half Nicky Robinson launched over a 35 metre penalty.

And the Cherry and Whites then took the lead when flanker Akapusi Qera scored a try, running home from 20 metres on the right wing after pressure inside the home 22 saw the ball run loose.

The Warriors were unlucky not to get an attacking scrum when visiting full-back Olly Morgan fumbled a kick into his 22 over the line and appeared to accidentally touch it down before clearing, but it was not spotted by any of the officials.

The visitors were able to capitalise and pull further ahead when a clever kick to the corner saw former England wing Lesley Vainikolo just beat the cover for the try.

But the home side hit back and went into the break in front after Robinson threw a pass on halfway only to see centre Alex Grove neatly intercept and race unopposed to the posts, giving Carlisle a simple conversion for a 15-13 scoreline.

Second half

Both teams then rang the changes in the third quarter and the match's intensity waned as Gloucester's handling became haphazard, while Worcester struggled to mount any meaningful attacks.

Carlisle had a penalty chance just after the break but missed, before Robinson's second penalty of the afternoon on the hour helped Gloucester re-take the lead with a one-point advantage.

The home side's one meaningful attack at that stage saw them gain significant possession inside the Gloucester 22 but a strong defence refused to buckle as the move fizzled out.

The game then sparked into life again in the last 10 minutes. First, Gloucester hooker Scott Lawson looked to have wrapped up the victory as he emerged from a pile of bodies after an attacking line-out win by Narraway for Robinson to convert and produce an eight-point gap for the visitors.

But Worcester would not give in and had the visitors struggling in their own 22 before Robinson was caught unable to clear on the dead-ball line. He ran left but was tap-tackled for the ball to run loose and Latham pounced for the try.

Carlisle's conversion set up a furious finish as the home side went for only their fifth league win of the season.

But their luck was not in, as Walker's last-gasp drop goal attempt hit the post and Gloucester cleared to touch to secure the narrowest of victories.