Warriors pay for poor display

Worcester missed out on an EDF Energy Cup semi-final berth after a disappointing 27-14 loss to Harlequins in their final group game.

The home side needed four tries to threaten the Anglo-Welsh cup holders Ospreys' qualification into the last four.

But a poor first-half performance left them with too much to do and Quins ran out deserved winners.

The visitors had no chance of progressing to the semis but still chose to field a near first-choice side, missing only their England squad members plus Tom Guest, who was a late withdrawal.

This positive selection policy saw Quins - obviously anxious to repeat last month's 30-23 Guinness Premiership win at Sixways - start much the stronger.

After dominating the opening exchanges, they scored the opening try after 10 minutes. From a scrum five metres out, Andy Gomarsall fed Jordan Turner-Hall, who set up the ruck from which Chris Robshaw was driven over.

Chris Malone converted the extras and then four minutes later extended the lead with a penalty.

Warriors respond

But the Warriors responded almost immediately with a try from Jake Abbott which Matthew Jones converted.

The Quins were then dealt a further blow after 20 minutes when Turner-Hall went off with a leg injury, to be replaced by De Wet Barry.

But the revival in Worcester's fortunes was short-lived as Malone kicked another penalty after 24 minutes as his side continued to have all the territory and possession.

The visitors then went further ahead on 34 minutes when - from a five-metre scrum - Malone and Seb Stegmann executed a pre-planned scissors movement for the latter to score, with Malone again adding the extras.

Quins then suffered a second injury blow when number eight Phil Davies had to be helped from the pitch just before half-time.

But they went into the interval 20-7 to the good after Jones had missed a penalty for the hosts.

Sanderson introduced

Worcester introduced influential captain Pat Sanderson immediately on the resumption for his first taste of action of the season.

His introduction almost immediately paid dividends as he crashed over to finish off a strong-running burst from Sam Tuitupou, with Jones converting.

Nick Evans was introduced by the Quins after 47 minutes but now it was the home side's turn to dominate, looking a vastly different team to the one who had performed with so little passion in the first half.

However, the Quins defence held firm with Robshaw and Will Skinner outstanding.

Then with the last move of the match, Tosh Masson intercepted and the Quins broke away for Mike Brown to score, with Nick Evans converting to conclude the scoring.