Former Worcester stars made a dazzling return to action as Warriors Staff won the Modus Creative Charity Challenge Cup – in aid of the Matt Hampson Trust – with a 34-24 victory over Worcestershire Teachers at Sixways Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Thinus Delport, Jim Jenner and Neil Lyman all grabbed tries while Bruce Fenley, Lee Fortey, Nick Baxter, Tony Windo, Matt Powell and Dave Merlin made playing comebacks on the stadium pitch they had once so successfully graced.
Chim Gale, Alistair Macsorley and Jason Ellis-Woodley also scored as Warriors secured the trophy in front of the watching Matt Hampson who travelled to Sixways to witness the fundraising game that was kindly sponsored by Modus Creative, the official creative partner to Worcester Warriors.
The Teachers enjoyed early territory and, with bad boy analyst Tom Tench sent to the sin bin, opened the scoring with an intercept converted try.
Warriors – made up of a mixture of coaching staff and past playing heroes – hit back with Academy strength and conditioning coach Lee Douglas denied a stunning effort before Jenner drilled over from close range in trademark fashion to cut the lead to 7-5.
Worcester Scrum and Forwards Coach Windo was yellow carded just a minute after coming onto the pitch as Warriors were reduced to 14 men yet again as the first half wore on.
Both teams handed out some big hits with Simon Lane throwing a gorgeous dummy to break clear in his own 22 only to be crunched into touch as he looked to offload.
Bursting runs from Lane and Jenner created the room for Delport to release Gale on the left wing for a second try just before the interval, that the South African cult hero then converted.
Early second half tries from McLourey and Ellis-Woodley put the home side in total control as the game continued to swing from end to end in entertaining fashion.
Lyman showed he has lost none of his power with two strong handoffs to make a bursting run through midfield supported by Baxter.
Slick hands saw the Teachers score two quick fire tries to cut the lead back to 22-19 before Delport announced his return to the game by beating two men with a dummy and stretching over.
Community coach Harry Orgee set up Lyman for a score that was converted by Delport before back came the Teachers for a fourth try of the night to conclude the scoring.
For more pictures from the night click HERE