For the second week in a row Worcester Warriors snatched victory with the last play of the game, this time dashing Nottingham’s hopes after the visitors had more than matched their big-spending opponents throughout the 80 minutes.
James Cherry, on his 50th appearance for the Archers, scored two tries but that wasn’t quite enough as the hosts piled on the pressure in the final ten minutes, culminating in an Ashley Challenger score from close range that gave the Warriors the win, 24-22.
The number 8 described the mood in the Nottingham camp at the final whistle: “It’s heartbreaking but credit to Worcester to have the composure in the final third to finish it off. Everyone put their body on the line, everyone worked their nuts off to try and hold them out but they did really well to finish it. There’s some learnings for us there but I’m just immensely proud of the lads and their work ethic.”
It was the irresistible force versus the immovable object as, coming into the match, the Warriors had scored the most points at home and the Archers had conceded the fewest on the road. And that’s how it panned out in the opening exchanges as the hosts were in control of possession but were prevented from crossing the gain line.
However, Nottingham conceded three penalties in quick succession that gave the hosts good field position but, once again the defence stood firm to hold the Warriors up over the try line.
Back came the Warriors from the dropout, though, as home captain Matt Kvesic broke through the defensive line and slipped in scrum half Lloyd Williams to cross between the sticks. Tiff Eden converted.
Nottingham then enjoyed a lengthy spell of possession, aided by a few wayward kicks by Worcester. On the quarter hour mark Cherry made a darting run into his opponents’ 22, releasing Osian Thomas in the corner. Just when it looked like the lock forward might be held up he managed to offload to Michael Green to dot down and Gwyn Parks levelled matters from the tee.
Parks attempted to nudge Nottingham ahead in the closing stages of the half with a long range penalty but it slid wide to leave the score at 7-7 at the break.
At the start of the second half the Archers picked up where they had left off, putting together a move that included Harry Graham tiptoeing along the touchline and flipping it inside to Cherry to record his first try of the evening. And the 50 cap man put Nottingham further ahead moments later when he burrowed over off the back of a driving maul that was stopped just short.
But the Warriors were handed a lifeline soon after when, in trying to keep a Parks kick pass inbounds, Nottingham only managed to bat the ball into the hands of Tom Seabrook who raced away to score.
Archers scrum half Will Yarnell had been targeted by the opposing forwards all match. His replacement, Josh Goodwin, looked lively on what was also his 50th appearance for Craig Hammond’s men.
Parks restored a double digit lead with a penalty before, around the midpoint of the half, Seabrook notched his second try, this time from short distance.
As the game entered its final stages Worcester applied relentless pressure, going through phase after phase but the Nottingham defence stood firm until Challenger finally squeezed over to leave the visitors with only a losing bonus point for their gargantuan efforts.
After the match James Cherry reflected on his time with the Archers: “When I first came down to Nottingham I was a university student doing it for free because I wanted to get better. Since then, to have 50 caps and player of the season awards, I never thought that would happen. It’s all down to the support I’ve had from the people that are in this group and also lads that have gone before me that have left now. So thanks to the coaches, the players, I’m immensely grateful for all of them.”