WORCESTER Warriors suffered a fourth straight defeat after losing 34-28 at home against Hartpury who completed a league double over the Sixways club.
Warriors failed to recover from a first-half blitz which saw Hartpury score 28 unanswered points after the home side dotted down the game’s first try at Sixways Stadium.
An early try from Austin Wallis put Worcester ahead only for Hartpury to score four tries in the space of 15 minutes to take a commanding 21-point lead.
A try from Hallam Chapman reduced the deficit only for a Harry Bazalgette penalty to stretch the away side’s lead.
Further tries from James Tyas and Thabo Ndimande closed the gap to three points with quarter of an hour left to play but another Bazalgette penalty at the death settled the contest.
The result means Worcester sit third in the Champ Rugby table as Matt Everard’s side came away from the fixture with two bonus points.
Returning to the pitch for the first time since January 3, Worcester scored the game’s first try on seven minutes when Wallis forced his way over the line from a tap penalty and Will Reed added the extras.
However, Hartpury responded on 17 minutes as Oliver Holliday crossed out wide and Bazalgette converted from close to the touchline.
And the visitors crossed again four minutes later when Jarrard Hayler touched down after Ollie Allsopp broke the line and Bazalgette again converted.
Hartpury scored their third try on 25 minutes as Holliday dove over in the corner for his second of the game and Bazalgette added the extras.
And Hartpury crossed for a bonus point try seven minutes later as Peter Paramore eased over from Steele Barker’s pass while Bazalgette remained perfect from the kicking tee
Worcester responded four minutes before half time when Chapman powered over from close range as Reed’s conversion reduced the deficit to 14 points at the break.
Bazalgette kicked a penalty eight minutes into the second half to put Hartpury three scores ahead.
However, Tyas scored Worcester’s third try on 52 minutes when he applied the final touch following a powerful run from Khalik Kareem and Reed converted.
And Warriors grabbed a bonus point try on 65 minutes as Ndimande finished off a strong driving maul which Tiff Eden converted to close the gap between the teams to three points.
However, as the home side pushed for a decisive score, Warriors conceded a penalty which Bazalgette kicked between the posts in the final minute to end the game with a 14-point individual haul.
Worcester are next in action against Ampthill on Saturday, January 31 with kick-off at 1.30pm at Dillingham Park.
