Wasps win at Worcester but Young admits margin of victory was tough on battling hosts

WORCESTER 10 24

Wasps recorded a seventh successive Aviva Premiership victory over Worcester as they moved level on points with fellow early pace-setters Newcastle. It was not the freeflowing spectacle of last weekend’s seven-try win against Sale Sharks, but Wasps still got the job done at Sixways.

Wasps’ 24-10 triumph was secured through a first-half Marcus Watson try and touchdowns from South African full-back Willie le Roux and wing Josh Bassett in the final quarter, while centre Jimmy Gopperth kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Worcester, beaten heavily by Newcastle in their Premiership opener, displayed bags of character and were level deep into the second half following a Biyi Alo try that Scotland cap Tom Heathcote converted, plus a Sam Olver penalty.

But the Warriors missed out on a losing bonus point as Wasps had just enough in the tank to deny them.

“I always felt we had another gear, and I always thought we would just do enough to win that game, but it was pretty cruel for Worcester not to get a bonus point,” Wasps’ rugby director Dai Young said.

“I thought they deserved a bonus point and I don’t think it was probably two scores in the game, if I am honest.

“We knew Worcester would bounce back from last week [a 35-8 defeat at Newcastle]. That was a given, really. We knew they would be full of physicality, endeavour and energy and put us under lots of pressure, which they did. We’ve got to look at ourselves as well. Our accuracy eluded us on many occasions today, which put us under pressure and handed the momentum back to Worcester.”

Worcester lost prop Nick Schonert after just 25 seconds and early indications are that he might have broken his ankle.