Sarries sink poor Warriors

Worcester were unable to manage a repeat from their final game of last season as Saracens recorded a 21-16 win at Sixways.

The Warriors had high hopes of registering their first win of the campaign against a team they did the double over last season, including a 22-7 home win on the last day which sealed their place in the top flight.

However, Sarries were in no mood to return home with nothing this time and battled hard to register their third win in four Guinness Premiership outings.

Glen Jackson kicked three penalties and a conversion on his first start of the season as he took over at fly-half from Gordon Ross.

Early lead

He gave the away team a slim three-point lead early on that they held onto until the half-hour mark.

After already going close through Thinus Delport, Worcester grabbed the opening try when Marcel Garvey crossed on the right flank.

Shane Drahm converted and the Warriors looked to be in command until they shot themselves in the foot with a careless error.

A poor pass allowed Rodd Penney an intercept score under the posts that Jackson converted to give Saracens a 13-7 half-time lead.

That advantage was cut in half when Drahm slotted over a penalty that had been awarded for coming in at the side of a ruck.

Yellow card

However, once again Worcester contrived to help out their opponents as replacement Gavin Quinnell landed himself 10 minutes in the sin-bin for taking out Saiusa Matadigo.

Mike Ruddock's side actually managed to hold their own while a man down, only conceding three points from the resulting penalty for Quinnell's offence.

They even managed to pick up three points themselves, leaving the game evenly poised going into the final 10 minutes.

But, just as the Sixway faithful perhaps sensed a rousing finish, Haughton roared through a sizeable gap to strike the killer blow to the Warriors' hopes.

Drahm at least managed to salvage something for the hosts, his late penalty meaning they picked up a bonus point in a losing cause.