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| - Forwards Jonny Hill and Sam Simmonds both scored hat-tricks as Exeter Chiefs extended their lead at the top of the English Premiership to 14 points with a nine-try 59-7 demolition of Worcester Warriors on Sunday. Jack Nowell, Jacques Vermeulen and Stuart Hogg also crossed for the Chiefs, with Joe Simmonds adding seven conversions. Warriors, who selected virtually a reserve side to take on the leaders, could only muster a solitary late try from Ashley Beck in response, converted by Billy Searle. The thumping win leaves the Chiefs 14 points clear of second-placed Sale after the Sharks leapfrogged Bristol Bears with a 40-7 win on Saturday, while the Warriors remain in 10th place. The hosts secured their bonus point inside the first half-hour but there was still time for Hill to complete his hat-trick before half-time. He drove over from close range then supported an elusive run from Nowell to outflank the cover defence. Simmonds' conversion gave his side a 38-0 interval lead. Thirty seconds after the restart, the travelling side scored their seventh try when a long pass sent Alex Cuthbert flying down the left flank and his inside pass provided Hogg with an easy run-in. The Chiefs rang the changes but it made no difference to the one-way traffic, with the impressive Vermeulen's try taking the hosts past fifty points. Simmonds then completed his hat-trick but, with about 10 minutes remaining, Beck opened the home side's account. Earlier on Sunday, Harlequins revived their play-off challenge with a 30-17 bonus-point win over fellow top-four hopefuls Northampton. Nathan Earle and Scott Baldwin scored first-half tries and Chris Robshaw and Chris Ashton added two more in the second-half to leave them seven points behind fourth-placed Bath. jw/iwd
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