London Wasps 32 Worcester Warriors 16
Aviva Premiership
Geoff Berkeley reports from Adams Park
LIFE does not appear to be getting any easier for director of rugby Dean Ryan as his Worcester Warriors side crashed to a fourth successive defeat.
Ryan has not shied away from saying how difficult it will be for his men to survive in the Aviva Premiership this season.
And the reality of the situation is becoming clearer by the week as London Wasps put winless Warriors to the sword at Adams Park last Saturday.
The clash was finely balanced at half-time, with the hosts leading 11-9, but Worcester fell away in the second period as tries from Christian Wade, Jake Cooper-Woolley and Guy Thompson saw Wasps run out comfortable winners.
And to rub salt into the wound former Warriors trio Matt Mullan, Andy Goode and Joe Carlisle all got their names on the score-sheet.
It all compounded to a miserable afternoon for Worcester, who face fellow strugglers Newcastle Falcons at Sixways on Saturday, and Ryan could not find any excuses for his side’s sorry showing in High Wycombe.
“Our scrum didn’t work, our line-out was scrappy and therefore we were constantly under pressure,” he said.
“We understand the challenge now. There is no masking over of it by saying ‘it is a new start’, we are into the Premiership season and we are not competitive with everyone else, so we have got to work hard to work out how to do that.”
The scrum will certainly be an area of concern for Ryan as Wasps’ pack constantly got the better of their opposite numbers.
Two thirds of Worcester’s front row were replaced at half-time, while there were fears George Porter’s afternoon might end within the opening 90 seconds.
The prop, who was making his first appearance in a Warriors jersey in nine months, had to receive treatment following a blow to his head during an incident which saw him penalised for not rolling away.
Goode scored the first points of the encounter from the resulting penalty, but it was Ignacio Mieres who was on top in the kicking department as he guided his side to a 9-6 lead.
Warriors were also doing well to defend their try-line as danger men Ashley Johnson and Wade were kept under wraps.
But the pressure soon told and it was a familiar face who got the score. After Josh Bassett was halted just short of the try-line, the ball was recycled and Mullan burst over from close range.
Goode failed to land the extras and a penalty moments later as the home side held a slender 11-9 advantage at the break.
Worcester were in the tie at this point and they made a positive start to the second period as David Lemi burst down the left.
But what followed was a disastrous 15 minute spell for Warriors. A grubber kick from Charlie Davies put Wade through to score before Wasps added a third try five minutes later when Cooper-Woolley touched down after strong running from Johnson.
Warriors were clinging on as the hosts remained camped in their half, while Goode slotted home a penalty to move 24-9 in front.
Josh Drauniniu gave the travelling supporters something to cheer when the Fijian international eased over with 15 minutes remaining.
But it proved as just a consolation score as Wasps wrestled back control and secured the bonus point when Thompson went over shortly after Chris Brooker saw yellow.
Dai Young’s side then completed a scintillating second half display with a late penalty from former Warriors fly half Carlisle.
