-
Wynand Olivier scored the only try of the match to help Worcester beat Newcastle
-
The victory was the Warriors first of the 2016/17 Aviva Premiership season
-
Mike Delany and Joel Hodgson penalties gave Newcastle hope but the hosts held out
Worcester Warriors got their first win of the Aviva Premiership season after edging past Newcastle Falcons at Sixways.
Newcastle had most of the ball in the early stages but failed to use that to their advantage on the scoreboard with Worcester soaking up the pressure well.
The home side were then rewarded for their solid defence as on the break Tom Heathcote slipped in Wynand Oliver to go over. However, Heathcote was not as precise with his attempted conversion, 0-5.
Mike Delany reduced the deficit from the tee but Heathcote kicked his first points of the match after the hooter to put five points between the sides at the break.
Replacement fly-half Ryan Lamb edged Worcester further ahead with a penalty after the restart before with minutes left on the clock, Joel Hodgson kicked another penalty for the visitors, meaning just two points separating the sides headed into the final exchanges.
Newcastle then got a scrum, but the penalty went Worcester’s way and they held out for their first win of the season.
Worcester: 15 Jamie Shillcock, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Tom Heathcote, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 Phil Dowson (c), 7 Carl Kirwan, 6 Alafoti Faosiliva, 5 Darren Barry, 4 Donncha O’Callaghan, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Niall Annett, 1 Val Rapava Ruskin
Replacements: 16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Na’ama Leleimalefaga, 18 James Johnston, 19 Christian Scotland-Williamson, 20 Matt Cox, 21 Luke Baldwin, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Josh Adams
Newcastle: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Juan Pablo Socino, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch (c), 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Evan Olmstead, 4 Calum Green, 3 Jon Welsh, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Rob Vickers
Replacements: 16 Ben Sowrey, 17 Alex Rogers, 18 David Wilson, 19 Will Witty, 20 Daniel Temm, 21 Michael Young, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Belisario Agulla
