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Page last updated at 16:41 GMT, Saturday, 4 April 2009 17:41 UK

Worcester 22-8 Saracens

Worcester (6) 22
Try: Grove Pens: M Jones, Walker 3 Con: Walker Drop-goal: Walker

Saracens (0) 8
Try: Seymour Pen: Ross


Alex Grove
Grove scored the try that sealed Worcester's future in the Premiership

Worcester clinched their Premiership survival with a hard-earned 22-8 victory over Saracens at Sixways.

The result puts them 13 points ahead of bottom-placed Bristol who are relegated following defeat at London Irish.

A scrappy first-half ended with the Warriors leading 6-0 after penalties from Matthew Jones and Willie Walker.

Saracens attempted a comeback after the restart but two more penalties from Walker and a try from Alex Grove secured Worcester's survival.

The Warriors came into the game on the back of some bad form that saw them lose to relegation rivals Bristol at the end of March.

They started the match looking edgy and a scrappy opening period ensued with five kicks at goal the only highlights to keep the fans entertained.

Saracens were looking to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the Heineken Cup, but failed to show the same determination that saw them defeat Wasps last-time out.

Fly-half Gordon Ross reduced the arrears for Saracens after the break with a penalty, but after Worcester halted the opposition's resurgence through Walker's penalties and Grove's try, a late David Seymour score proved to be for consolation purposes only.


Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock:

"It was a good defensive display by us. We used the wind in the first half and our kicking game probably let us down then.

"In the second half we started to play a bit of rugby and it was a good try by Grovesy. So it was not the perfect performance but it was much better than the last two.

"It is quite a ruthless league and we are pleased we have picked-up the win we needed here. What we have is the capability of beating those top sides and be a top side ourselves.

"What we haven't got is the mental toughness to do that week-in and week-out."

Saracens coach Richard Graham:
"I think it is probably best if we put that one behind us.

"We came here with high expectations from the performance last week (against Wasps) but we followed the same path as we have for the last three away games - very lacklustre.

"We have a lot to play for which is that sixth spot in the league which is up for grabs and we have not done ourselves any justice. As competitive people, that was very poor."


Worcester: Walker; Garvey, Grove, Rasmussen, Benjamin; Jones, R Powell; Black, Lutui, Morris, Rawlinson, Bowley, T Wood, Sanderson, Horsman.

Replacements: Luscombe for Rasmussen (77), Arr for R Powell (69), Fortey for Lutui (69), Ruwers for Morris (77), Kitchener for Rawlinson (70), Talei for T. Wood (75).

Not Used: Crichton.

Sin Bin: Kitchener (80).

Saracens: Wyles; Haughton, Jacobs, A Farrell, Penney; Ross, Marshall; Aguero, Ongaro, Johnston, Borthwick, Ryder, Jack, Melck, Skirving.

Replacements: Thrower for Haughton (55), Powell for A Farrell (69), Wilson for Marshall (73), Walker for Ongaro (61), Mercey for Johnston (66), Seymour for Ryder (47), Barrell for Skirving (57).

Att: 10,118

Ref: Chris White (RFU).



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see also
Injured Latham heads to Australia
02 Apr 09 |  Worcester
Worcester trio out for the season
01 Apr 09 |  Worcester
Harlequins 60-14 Worcester
01 Apr 09 |  English
Saracens 'will honour contracts'
30 Mar 09 |  Saracens
Saracens 19-14 Wasps
29 Mar 09 |  English


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