Premiership: Worcester claim first win under Steve Diamond after beating Bristol

Worcester Warriors lifted the gloom around Sixways to secure their first Premiership victory in six matches after a 19-14 triumph over Bristol Bears.

The Warriors also claimed their first win under Steve Diamond, who took charge in late January following Jonathan Thomas’ departure.

It was a triumph built on a fast start as Duhan van der Merwe and Ashley Beck touched down for a 14-0 advantage.

Although the Bears responded and levelled matters at the break via Steven Luatua and Max Lahiff, Sione Vailanu moved Worcester back in front early in the second period.

And that score proved to be enough as the hosts controlled the rest of the half thanks to their dominant scrum, as well as a number of Bristol mistakes.

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The Warriors made a flying start, going ahead after just five minutes as Van der Merwe underlined his world-class quality.

Full-back Jamie Shillcock was the creator, kicking superbly into space before the Scotland wing showcased blistering pace and gathered possession on the bounce to score, before Fin Smith’s touchline conversion opened up a seven-point lead.

Bristol were rocked back on their heels by Worcester’s accuracy, which was underlined by a number of handling errors from the away side as they looked to work their way into the contest.

But Worcester had no intention of losing momentum, and Vailanu’s surge into the heart of Bristol’s defence drew in tacklers, then quickly recycled ball allowed Beck a simple finish, and Smith again converted.

It was a miserable opening quarter for the visitors, yet the response they required soon arrived as skipper Luatua barged his way over to claim a try, with Callum Sheedy’s conversion halving the deficit.

Bristol now had momentum, and they struck again just three minutes later through another close-range effort as Lahiff scored and Sheedy’s conversion tied things up at 14-14.

It proved to be the final score of a richly-entertaining half highlighted by both sides’ admirable attacking intent.

Worcester enjoyed a dominant opening to the second period, with scrum-half Gareth Simpson and wing Perry Humphreys combining impressively, then Vailanu smashed through attempted tackles from Sheedy and Ioan Lloyd for a try that put Warriors back in front.

Bristol lost Luatua and centre Piers O’Conor to injuries midway through the third quarter, then wing Jack Bates departed after he was yellow-carded by referee Wayne Barnes for a deliberate knock-on.

And Bristol’s scrum-half woes continued when loan signing Toby Venner, who went on for Theo Strang, limped off, meaning that full-back Lloyd took over in that position.

Worcester could see the finishing line, and they reached it despite late Bristol pressure that was nullified by a superb tackle deep inside his own half from Warriors substitute Billy Searle.

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