Worcester Warriors marked their first season back in English rugby by winning the Champ play-off final against Bedford Blues.
Warriors finished fourth in the regular season but shocked previously-unbeaten table-toppers Ealing Trailfinders in the play-off semi-finals – and they did the same to second-placed Bedford.
Victory caps a remarkable turnaround for Worcester, who were expelled from the Premiership in the 2022-23 season after financial issues placed the club into administration and ultimately led to its disbanding.
However, the club eventually reformed in time for this season, although they will remain in the second tier after the traditional format of promotion and relegation was scrapped earlier this year.
A Hugh Bokenham score gave Worcester an early lead but Bedford bounced back to go 14-5 ahead with tries from Joey Conway and Dean Adamson.
But Tim Anstee went over in the corner for Warriors and late first-half pressure was rewarded with a Will Reed try to give Worcester a narrow three-point half-time lead.
In a tight second half, a sin-binning for Bedford’s Fred Tuilagi, for an off-the-ball incident, proved key as Siva Naulago went over to extend Worcester’s lead to 24-14.
A Billy Twelvetrees penalty sealed victory as Worcester ended a historic campaign with silverware to show for it.
