Warriors' woes continue at Stoop

Harlequins claimed just their second victory in 14 games and once again it was against Worcester.

Quins won 36-15 at the Stoop, completing a league double over the Warriors following their 10-7 win at Sixways in December.

Worcester will continue to look anxiously over their shoulders at Leeds' progress and with just one win in the league all season, it is hard to see where the points are going to come from.

But the Stoop scoreline is somewhat deceptive. With less than 20 minutes to go of a tense game it was 12-8, only for the Warriors to collapse in the final quarter as Harlequins strengthened their position in sixth in the table.

After an early Adrian Jarvis penalty had struck the post and stayed out, Harlequins were not much longer in making their possession count.

Threat

Scrum-half Danny Care's ability to spot a gap and dart through it was a constant threat and from one of his breaks after 12 minutes flanker and man-of-the-match Will Skinner took the ball, cleverly chipped over the head of full-back Thinus Delport and scored.

Jarvis converted and just five minutes later Quins made it 12-0. Care was the creator again and although he was stopped five metres short, Worcester were unable to prevent centre Hal Luscombe going over wide out on the right.

Despite that woeful start, the Warriors showed battling qualities and reduced the deficit to 12-8 even before the half-hour was up.

First stand-off James Brown landed a penalty, then former All Black Rico Gear was awarded a try in the corner. It looked a very tight call as he was tackled into touch by opposite number Ugo Monye, but referee Dave Pearson consulted with his touch judge before signalling the score.

Brown could not convert, but more worrying for the visitors was that captain Pat Sanderson had to leave the field with an arm injury.

Jarvis was wide with two very kickable penalties in the remainder of the half then wasted another penalty chance in the 54th minute. The home fans did not hide their displeasure and at skipper Nick Easter's decision to kick at goal rather than set up an attack.

Two minutes later, almost inevitably, a similar decision had to be made. Again Quins opted to go for three points, but although full-back Mike Brown was the one given the kick this time he also failed.

Penalties

Five missed Quins penalties kept Worcester in touch, but they could not make the most of winning a lineout against the throw and shortly afterwards a huge cheer went up when the home side declined a kick at goal and went for the lineout instead.

It did not result in a try, but Worcester flanker Drew Hickey was sin-binned for his illegal work and this time the recalled Jarvis did make the straightforward penalty.

Seven points down entering the last 15 minutes still meant that Worcester were hoping for more than just a losing bonus point, even though they were a man down. But it was not to be as Steve So'oialo picked up a chance and went over for another try.

Jarvis added the extra points from wide out. In a repeat of last week's defeat at Saracens, Worcester had conceded a crucial try against them when reduced to 14.

Further tries came from Tosh Masson and wing Tom Williams, Jarvis converting both. In between Brown burst over for Mike Ruddock's men, who also had centre Sam Tuitupou yellow-carded just before the final whistle to cap a fairly miserable afternoon.