Warriors came close to bringing home some silverware in the Premiership Rugby Sevens but fell just short in the Plate final against Gloucester Rugby on Saturday.
It was an end-to-end game at Franklin’s Gardens with Gloucester racing away to an early 12-0 lead through Dom Coetzer and Jacob Morris but the powerful Naca Kinikinilau got Warriors on the scoreboard before the break.
And Chim Gale’s side came out firing in the second period with Nick David adding the finishing touches to a fine move before Luke Scully made it 15-12 with three minutes to play.
However it was Gloucester’s Gareth Evans with the game’s decisive score – the back row touched down in the corner with one minute to play to give his side the victory.
Warriors had earned their place in the Plate Final with an impressive 26-15 victory over Leicester Tigers earlier in the afternoon with Nick David, Joss Linney and Michael Mellett (2) all crossing the line in a dominant showing.
Warriors had to settle for a place in Saturday’s Plate after going down to two losses at the Premiership Rugby Sevens at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday night.
Warriors started the competition with a 29-12 loss to Bath Rugby before suffering a 28-14 defeat at the hands of Exeter Chiefs.
Warriors enjoyed the upper hand in the opening exchanges of their first game and looked to take advantage of their early possession. But Bath opened the scoring as Darren Atkins finished in the corner.
Warriors number ten Naca Kinikinilau was producing some nice offloads as Chim Gale’s young side looked to force their way back into the game.
And they soon turned the game on its head as Joss Linney crossed the whitewash for a quickfire double.
But a Kinikinilau yellow card allowed Tom Doughty to go over for Bath on the stroke of half-time as the sides turned around at 12-12.
Warriors missed a golden chance to take the lead once again when presented with a lineout five metres out, and they were punished when Tom de Glanville scored at the other end before Will Butt and Levi Davis made the game safe late on for Bath.
The second game of the evening started in the worst possible way for Warriors as James Short raced through to touch down for Exeter in the opening minute.
Former Worcester Academy player George de Cothi made good ground at the other end and Warriors were soon level as Mason Tonks showed good footwork before racing clear.
But Exeter were dominating possession and took a comfortable lead into the interval courtesy of quickfire tries from Argentina international Santiago Cordero and Tom Lawday.
Tom O’Flaherty put Exeter further ahead with their fourth try of the game before Tonks once again illustrated his pace to cruise in for Warriors’ second try.
But it was too little, too late as Warriors dropped into Saturday’s Plate competition.
Warriors Results:
Friday
Warriors 12-29 Bath Rugby
Warriors Tries: Joss Linney (2)
Warriors Conversions: Craig Jackson
Bath Tries: Darren Atkins, Tom Doughty, Tom de Glanville, Will Butt, Levi Davis
Bath Conversions: Tom de Glanville (2)
Warriors 14-28 Exeter Chiefs
Warriors Tries: Mason Tonks (2)
Warriors Conversions: Craig Jackson (2)
Exeter Tries: James Short, Santiago Cordero, Tom Lawday, Tom O’Flaherty
Exeter Conversions: Sam Morley (4)
Saturday:
Warriors 26-15 Leicester Tigers
Warriors Tries: Michael Mellett (2), Joss Linney, Nick David
Warriors Conversions: Craig Jackson (3)
Leicester Tries: Mike Adlard (2), Sam Aspland Robinson
Warriors 15-17 Gloucester Rugby
Warriors Tries: Naca Kinikinilau, Luke Scully, Nick David
Gloucester Tries: Dom Coetzer, Jacob Morris, Gareth Evans.
Gloucester Conversions: Charlie Chapman