HEINEKEN CUP POOL 6 Warriors 34 Tries: Wyatt, James, Thomas, Sweeney Cons: Sweeney (4) Pens: Sweeney (2) Calvisano 25 Tries: Mazzuccato, Mulieri, Ravazzolo Cons: Fraser (2) Pens: Fraser (2) Att: 2,500

The Warriors had to overcome a half-time deficit against the unfancied Italians before emerging with an unconvincing bonus-point win at the Brewery Field, Bridgend.

Early tries from Gareth Wyatt, Dafydd James and Gareth Thomas looked like giving the out-of-form home team an easy win, but Calvisano struck back with scores from Nicola Mazzuccato, Emiliano Mulieri and Massimo Ravazzolo before the break.

A Ceri Sweeney try early in the second half gave control to the home side, but the Italians were within a score until the final kick of a dire final 40 minutes.

Two late penalties from Sweeney secured the game, the second cruelly denying Calvisano a bonus point for finishing within seven points of the winners.

The Warriors began as though they were ready to despatch their Italian visitors with some style, Wyatt running in a try after just four minutes.

A flowing move in the 16th minute saw the home side's all-international back-line fulfilling its potential, Kevin Morgan making inroads from full-back, Sweeney and Sonny Parker taking it on, before James' inside run was rewarded with the second try.

You have to give a few rollockings after that Warriors coach Lynn Howells

Richard Parks intercepted attacking Calvisano ball soon after. The No 8 was brought down just short of the try line, but the ball was recycled for Warriors captain Thomas to get on the scoreboard.

Sweeney landed his third conversion, but rather than building on their commanding 21-3 lead the Warriors showed their brittle confidence with some careless mistakes.

Mazzuccato started the fightback with a thumping tackle on Wyatt. The Italian ripped the ball from his opposite number and sprinted in from 50m out.

Moments later, Calvisano's other wing Mulieri seized on turnover ball to stun the home crowd with a 40m try.

The physical Italians had the Warriors rattled and on the stroke of half time James fumbled a high ball over his line, allowing Ravazzolo to touch down.

Cockbain saw yellow in a scrappy second period

Gerard Fraser added his second conversion to go with an early penalty, leaving Calvisano with a shock 22-21 half-time lead.

Some harsh words from coach Lynn Howells fired up the Warriors at the break, and soon after the restart Sweeney crossed for a try that ensured a bonus point for the home side.

But rather than relaxing the Warriors were drawn into a scrap with the Italians, and the fiery Brent Cockbain saw yellow for indiscipline at a ruck.

During his absence, Fraser pulled Calvisano back to within three points with another penalty to set up a tense finale.

As the side's slugged it out in the trenches, the Italians grew frustrated with time slipping away and began to concede penalties.

Calvisano did beat Neath last season and perhaps shouldn't be written off as easy touches From CymraegJanner Join the Scrum V debate

Sweeney fired a nervy 77th-minute effort wide, but was on target with two more to secure the win and leave the brave Italians to return home empty handed.

"We scored four very good tries, but let them back into the game through silly mistakes and turnovers," said Warriors coach Lynn Howells.

"I was pleased that we kept the ball for long periods and got maximum points, but we gave away too many silly penalties.

"You have to give a few rollockings after that, I will be reading the riot act."

Celtic Warriors: Kevin Morgan; Dafydd James, Gareth Thomas (capt), Sonny Parker, Gareth Wyatt; Ceri Sweeney, Sililo Martens; Christian Loader, Mefin Davies, Gethin Jenkins, Brent Cockbain, Robert Sidoli, Maama Molitika, Cory Harris, Richard Parks.
Replacements: Matthew Rees, Phil Booth, Deiniol Jones, Nathan Budgett, Paul John, Neil Jenkins, Jonathan Bryant.

Calvisano: M Ravazzolo; E Mulieri, T Vodo, G Raineri, N Mazzuccato; G Fraser, P Canavosio; G de Carli, A Moretti, M Castrogiovanni, M Ngaumo, L Mastrodomenico, M Zaffiri, C Elisara, C Mayerhofler.
Replacements: D Davo, S Perugini, J Purll, A de Rossi, P Griffen, V Zullo, F Merli.

Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland)