YOUNG full-back Perry Humphreys believes Worcester Warriors can lift the British and Irish Cup for the first time.

The 20-year-old scored a crucial try for Warriors – his first touchdown for five months – in a nail-biting 15-13 semi-final triumph against holders Leinster ‘A’ on a cold night at Sixways.

 

 

Humphreys admitted Worcester had learned lessons from their Aviva A-League final defeat to Saracens Storm in January.

Worcester’s commitment was typified by a try-saving tackle on the stroke of half-time by winger Tom Biggs.

They achieved what no other English side had managed in the past four years – beating Leinster in the competition.

Now Worcester will travel to Doncaster Knights, who inflicted a surprise 27-22 defeat on Bristol, in the final on Good Friday (April 3).

Worcester’s success against Leinster was built around an outstanding performance from their front five, including first-class displays from James Percival and Dan Sanderson, and a moment of magic from Humphreys.

Warriors were leading just 7-6 with 13 minutes remaining when Humphreys had the crowd on their feet.

He collected a clearance kick from Leinster about 45 metres out, spotted a gap in the visiting defence and stormed to the line.

Replacement Andy Symons kicked a late penalty to stretch Warriors’ lead to 15-6 before Noel Reid’s last-gasp try for Leinster, converted by Cathal Marsh, set up a nervy finale.

Humphreys, an academy player, said: “I only played the last 10 minutes in that A-League final, but I thought we got taught a lesson in that game about the importance of field position and we learned from that.

“I was ecstatic to score – I hadn’t scored since the match at Moseley in October. It helped with Symo kicking his penalty. At the end, it was pretty tight and a bit tense.”

Leinster, who were an attacking threat, should have taken the lead after Sam Coghlan-Murray’s break was halted by Sam Smith. Coghlan-Murray passed inside to Cian Kelleher, who found Mick McGrath but the winger dropped the ball with the try-line begging.

Marsh, who missed two early penalties for Leinster, eventually kicked his side 3-0 ahead, while Tiff Eden missed two penalties in the blustery conditions.

Worcester, with Ofa Fainga’anuku, Ben Sowrey and Joe Rees showing their power, had the upper hand in the scrums.

And the patience of the referee ran out, with Leinster prop Peter Dooley sent to the sin-bin after the visitors’ scrum had been penalised for a third time in quick succession.

The hosts made the most of their numerical advantage and, within seconds, Mat Gilbert was driven over from a line-out, with Eden slotting the touchline conversion.

Marsh’s second penalty, from Matt Cox’s indiscretion, cut Warriors’ lead to 7-6 at the break.

But off-target second-half shots at goal from Eden and Symons ensured the tie remained tight.

Warriors dominated territory and possession for most of the second period and eventually got their reward through Humphreys’ superb opportunist try.

They looked home and dry when Symons kicked a penalty, but the Dubliners refused to accept defeat and Reid’s last-ditch converted effort set up a nerve-jangling finish.