Worcester Warriors took the first leg of the J.P Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series on Thursday night as they stormed to three wins from three at Kingsholm.
They will be joined in the final of the competition, which takes place on August 9 at Bath's Recreation Ground, by Gloucester who managed to scrape through with two wins from three to their name. But it was Worcester who were the in-form side on Thursday evening as they put Bath, Gloucester and Exeter Chiefs to the sword en route to the final.
In the first game of the evening, West Country rivals Bath and Gloucester took to the Kingsholm turf and it was the Cherry and Whites who did enough to get through with a 29-19 win to their name. Gloucester's tries came from Gareth Evans, Rhodri McAtee, Billy Burns and a double from Steph Reynolds while Bath mustered efforts through Anthony Watson, Chris Cook and Tuvita Tamatawale.
In game two, Exeter Chiefs crashed to a 26-17 loss to the Warriors. Worcester raced into a 26-0 lead thanks to scores from Rhys Owen, Paul Hodgson, Max Stelling and Richard de Carpentier but the Chiefs then tried to fight back with tries from Tom Dowding, Jack Arnott and Ollie Claxton.
The Chiefs had no chance to rest as they were next up against Bath and they went down 20-17 to the men from the Rec. Bath scored two quick tries from Raymond Bishop and Tamatawale with the Chiefs pegging them back through Dowding. Watson went over for Bath to make it 15-5 but Stuart Townsend crossed for two to make it 17-15 to the Chiefs. However, in the final play of the game, Max Clark went over for Bath to secure the win.
It was then Worcester and Gloucester's turn to retake to the stage and the Warriors cantered to a 31-19 triumph. And it was the Warriors who came out quickest thanks to doubles from Stelling and James Stephenson. Burns and Martyn Thomas got Gloucester back into the game but Tom Chapman scored a further try for Worcester with Drew Cheshire grabbing a late consolation for the hosts.
The Warriors were then immediately back in action and they eased past Bath 27-14. Hodgson scored an early try and while Watson and Bishop crossed for Bath, Worcester then pulled away with scores from Carpentier, Chapman and Eden.
In the final match, Gloucester booked their place in the final with a 28-19 triumph over the Chiefs. Reynolds and Evans bagged doubles for the hosts with Sam Blanchet, Townsend and Ben Vellacott going over for Exeter.