Worcester Warriors hold off Harlequins to move into top six

Worcester Warriors 20-13 Harlequins, Sixways
Scorecard

Worcester Warriors managed to resist Harlequins as they went on to register a 20-13 victory in their Gallagher Premiership face-off at Sixways on Friday.

The win has taken Worcester Warriors to sixth place in the table with 17 points while Harlequins move to fifth position with 19 points.

The first 12 minutes saw Marcus Smith and Duncan Weir trade penalties as the scores were levelled 3-3 but the home side went on to claim the lead by the half-hour mark with Nic Schonert touched down in the 32nd minute while Weir and Chris Pennell kicked a conversion and a penalty to take the scoreline to 13-3 before the break.

The Quins responded back in the 56th minute with Joe Marchant crossing over while James Lang's conversion brought the gap down to just three points but Ryan Mills had other plans as he restored the 10-point lead for the Warriors with his try at the start of the final quarter that was improved by Weir.

The effort from Mills proved just enough as the Warriors went on to complete a seven point victory despite a late penalty kick from Lang in the closing stage.

"I'm really happy with the win as our set-piece was much better and our defence was absolutely outstanding after a difficult game for us at Bath last Saturday," said Worcester director of rugby Alan Solomons.

"We deserved the win and the only try they got was from an interception, which speaks volumes for our defensive effort.

"We still spilled too much ball and didn't have the possession we wanted as we gave away penalties at the wrong time but every single player showed a terrific level of commitment."