IT DID not quite have the drama of last year’s pre-season clash which saw Worcester Warriors’ team coach go up in flames en route to Ospreys.
But Sixways was still lit up on Friday night as Warriors proved too hot to handle for their Welsh opponents with an impressive 23-6 victory.
Wing Sam Smith got his Worcester career off to a blistering start when the former Harlequins man scorched over inside the opening minute.
The hosts new-look pack also showed promising firepower ahead of the upcoming season as Nick Schonert was shunted over the line for Warriors’ second try before Ben Howard wrapped up the victory with a scintillating solo score.
It was an almost unrecognisable team to the one which watched on at the side of the M5 near Bristol as fire engulfed their bus following an electrical fault.
Director of rugby Dean Ryan handed six of his summer signings a starting jersey and it was new recruit Smith who made the most immediate impact. Within the first 15 seconds of the match, the wing crossed the whitewash after intercepting a stray Ospreys pass.
After Ignacio Mieres missed his first chance at goal, the visitors hit back three minutes later, with a penalty from Sam Davies.
The fly half failed to dispatch his next attempt from the tee, but he soon made amends to give his side a slender 6-5 lead.
Despite a penalty from Mieres, which put Worcester back in front, Ospreys were looking the more threatening and they almost scored their first try of the evening.
With four minutes to go in the first half, former Warriors centre Josh Matavesi wriggled his way through a couple of tackles before Dan Evans took the ball on. But the full back could not finished it off as he spilled the ball when he attempted to touch it down under the posts.
Warriors then made Ospreys pay with the last kick of the half. Mieres fired home a penalty after strong scrummaging from the home side’s pack.
This gave Worcester a five point cushion at half time and they were quick to add to it at the start of the second period. Once again, it was their forwards who were at the forefront as they pushed their opposite numbers back with ease before Schonert burrowed over to give his side a 16-6 lead.
Ospreys were struggling to contain their opponents and fell further behind on the 52nd minute. This time, Ben Howard turned on the style as he found space on the left before sprinting under the posts. Mieres added the extras to put Warriors 23-6 clear.
This score then gave Ryan the chance to empty his bench and introduce a number of new faces in the final stages, including signings Dan George, Jean Baptiste Bruzulier and Heath Stevens.
Worcester remained on the front foot, but they were unable to land a fourth try as James Percival, who also came on as a replacement, was stopped just short of the line.