DEAN Ryan has dismissed claims Worcester Warriors fall off the pace in the early stages of the second half in matches.

Warriors were locked at 12-12 at the interval in their last Aviva Premiership match against high-flying Exeter Chiefs.

But Worcester made a sloppy opening to the second period when wing Bryce Heem fumbled the restart, which led to Exeter slotting over a penalty.

Warriors battled hard and replied through the boot of Tom Heathcote.

But Chiefs eventually pulled away for a comprehensive triumph with 15 unanswered points in the final 21 minutes to seal a 30-15 success.

“I am not aware that we’re dropping off for 15 minutes (after half-time),” said Ryan.

“We made an error where we didn’t catch a ball and that camped them on our line.

“There’s no rocket science in that. If we had caught the ball and kicked it to halfway, it would have been different.

“I am not overly worried. We haven’t got any themes around that.”

Ryan continued: “We started well again and had good intensity at the end.

“Sometimes against the best sides, they just see it a little bit clearer than we do and I think, at the moment, that’s the difference.”

Fly-half Heathcote nailed five penalties for Warriors, although he missed one on the stroke of half-time that would have put the hosts 15-12 ahead.

Warriors’ problems at holding a scrum have been well documented this term.

But their front row of Na’ama Leleimalefaga, Niall Annett and Nick Schonert were outstanding against Exeter.

Warriors won a succession of penalties at the set-piece, particularly in the first period.

Ryan felt Warriors did not get the rub of the green from the match officials.

“We were dominant (at the scrum),” added Ryan.

“We’ve had penalties and yellow cards against us for offences on the same man and their loosehead didn’t get anything.

“I am not being critical of the referee but I also struggle to know how we can defend a drive when they (Exeter) were allowed to insert people before we did.

“I think that needs to be looked at.”