Warriors wreck Gloucester

Gloucester's Guinness Premiership hopes suffered a damaging blow with a 13-6 loss at home to Worcester.

The Cherry and Whites knew only a win would do in their game in hand as defeat leaves them four points adrift of fourth-placed London Irish.

Willie Walker returned to haunt the hosts at Kingsholm, the full-back kicking two penalties and converting Netani Talei's try for Worcester against the club from which he is currently on loan.

Defeat was another bitter blow for Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan and his men after Saturday's 50-12 loss to Cardiff in the EDF Energy Cup final.

Superb start

Looking to bounce back from their Twickenham nightmare, a much-changed side started in superb fashion, dominating possession to keep their opponents camped in their own territory.

Although Olly Barkley broke the deadlock with a 12th-minute penalty, the hosts failed to turn the pressure into a points cushion.

Captain Gareth Delve turned down three kickable penalties to go for touch, but by half time it was the visitors who were in command of the contest.

Walker slotted over two penalties to put Worcester ahead before they scored the only try just before the interval.

Number eight Talei had the pace to stay clear of winger Mark Foster down the touchline to score, the successful conversion making it 13-3.

Gloucester's cause was not helped by the sin-binning of hooker Scott Lawson for illegally kicking the ball away, though the teams were down to 14 apiece when flanker Tom Wood saw yellow for a heavy hit on full-back Olly Morgan.

Renewed hope

Barkley's second penalty after 53 minutes briefly gave the Kingsholm faithful renewed hope, though by now any thoughts of getting four tries to seal a crucial bonus point had long since disappeared.

In the heat of battle Marco Bortolami and Greg Rawlinson lost their tempers, the two opposing locks trading punches before being sent to the bin for 10 minutes to cool down.

Flanker Apo Satala nearly found a way to the line on 68 minutes before being hauled into touch, while Barkley hit the post with a penalty from out wide.

Despite facing intense pressure Worcester held out to seal a league double over a Gloucester side that has seen their season fall apart in a hurry.