Bath sink at Sixways

Benjamin scored a superb solo try

Worcester gave their survival hopes a massive boost with a commanding 16-7 victory over Bath at Sixways on Friday.

The Warriors dominated territory and possession, forcing Bath to live off scraps as the hosts moved nine points above bottom club Newcastle.

Wing Miles Benjamin scored a superb solo try for the Warriors, while fly-half Joe Carlisle chipped in with two penalties and a conversion before Andy Goode added a drop-goal six minutes from time.

Bath managed a 69th-minute touchdown for prop Charlie Beech after he was driven over from close range - substitute Olly Barkley converted - yet it proved too little too late.

Lewis Moody's trademark all-action style make little headway in a Bath side devoid of ideas and after just 36 minutes injury forced the former England captain off.

Miserable

And midway through the second period, England lock Dave Attwood was carried off with his neck in a brace to complete a miserable night for Bath.

Bath lacked the basic skills and organisation to seriously threaten a victory that would have lifted them into play-off territory.

Carlisle missed an easy opening penalty chance and, although he opened Worcester's account through a 10th-minute strike, opposite number Stephen Donald also suffered a wayward first half off the tee.

Donald sent two penalties wide during a 13-minute spell as Bath continued to struggle and when a bloodied Moody exited four minutes before the break, the Warriors took advantage in emphatic fashion.

Just when a dire opening 40 minutes appeared to be petering out, the home side conjured a memorable try after splitting Bath's defence wide open.

Ferociously

Carlisle delivered a superbly-timed pass to Benjamin, and the England Saxons player finished brilliantly as he weaved his way over from 30 metres out.

Carlisle added the conversion and Worcester trotted off with a commanding 10-0 interval lead against opponents who had offered next to nothing in attack.

Bath showed glimpses of what they could do as the game began to break up, but poor passing let them down and another Carlisle penalty extended Worcester's advantage.

The visitors also floundered on a ferociously committed Worcester defence, at times battering away through phase after phase without crossing their line.

Beech eventually got the scoreboard moving for Bath, yet Worcester quickly regained a territorial foothold and Goode's late drop-goal not only confirmed Warriors' triumph but also denied their opponents a losing bonus point.