University of Worcester Warriors made it two wins on the bounce at the start of their Allianz Cup campaign with a thrilling last-gasp victory at Sandy Park.
Warriors were 21-8 down nine minutes into the second-half but a penalty from Leagh Brough reduced the deficit to ten points three minutes later.
Back-row forward Charlotte Wright-Haley then scored an unconverted try midway through the second half to take Warriors within a converted try of victory.
Hooker El Febrey levelled the score three minutes from time and Brough, a product of the club’s thriving Centre of Excellence, added a nerveless conversion to put Warriors ahead for the first and only time in the match.
Before the break full-back Cat McNaney had opened Warriors’ account with an eighth minute penalty and, at the other end of the half, Vicky Laflin scored an unconverted try.
Lock Liz Shermer came off the bench early in the second half and made her 50th appearance for the club.
“We made it really difficult for ourselves at times in the , but it shows the character of the group,” said Warriors Director of Rugby Jo Yapp.
“Just to be here and playing everything we have gone through is incredible.
“The last two weeks have been so tough for players and staff. On Thursday night we were sat there listening to the club being spoken about in Parliament and we then had to go out and train.
“To still keep fronting up as the way they have we have is incredible. The fact we are still here standing, no-one has left, no-one has walked away, no-one has left, everyone has just stuck it and I am so proud of everyone.”