Worcester (12) 22 Tries: Benjamin 2, Kitchener, Crichton Con: M Jones
London Irish (0) 5 Try: Richards
Benjamin added two more tries to his rapidly growing haul for Worcester
Exciting youngster Miles Benjamin scored twice as Worcester started their EDF Energy Cup campaign with victory over Premiership rivals London Irish.
Benjamin, just 20, gave Worcester a 16th-minute lead with a converted try and Graham Kitchener added a second as the hosts led 12-0 at half-time.
Peter Richards finally got the Exiles on the board after 54 minutes.
But Benjamin scored his second midway through the half and Loki Crichton added a fourth try late on.
Worcester boss Mike Ruddock:
"We have to use this competition to build momentum, which is what we did with the European Challenge Cup last year.
"We need to build confidence from this towards the next round of the Guinness Premiership and see what happens.
"The Ospreys down in Swansea will be tough and a big one but, if we can get a result from there, then there is a chance we can progress from the group."
London Irish coach Toby Booth: "Worcester came out and thoroughly deserved to win the game. All credit to them but I think we ought to be more clinical to take certain chances we have.
"I'm slightly disappointed that some people, who were given the opportunity, did not turn up.
"I think Shane Geraghty needs to put a series of games together and play well in those games before he is thrust into the next level up and is expected to spark the England revival."
Worcester: Latham; Fellows, Grove, Tuitupou, Benjamin; M Jones, B Jones, Talei, Abbott, Cox, Gillies, Kitchener, Horsman, Fortey, Morris.
Replacements: Crichton for Latham (67), Carlisle for M. Jones (78), Arr for B. Jones (51), Wood for Talei (63), Rawlinson for Kitchener (63), Ruwers for Horsman (51), Lutui for Fortey (51).
Sin Bin: Abbott (39).
London Irish: Bailey; De Vedia, Shabbo, Geraghty, Thompstone; Hickey, Richards; D Murphy, Buckland, Rautenbach, Johnson, Casey, Fisher, Danaher, Thorpe. Replacements: Dermody for Rautenbach (40), Hala'ufia for Casey (64), Homer for Geraghty (60), Parker for Richards (71), Gower for De Vedia (37). Not used: Clark, S Armitage.
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