If Worcester were lax in allowing Bristol to notch an early six-point lead through two Jason Strange penalties, then they were guilty of gross negligence in conceding their first try. Although he was five metres from his own line, Shane Drahm had spare men outside him and was right to take the attacking option rather than clear his line, but Rob Higgitt managed to smother his pass and force a crucial turnover. The score was on from the moment Mark Regan pounced on the loose ball. Bristol knew it, and so did Worcester. The visitors quickly shifted the ball left and as the defence desperately scrambled across to cover the danger, Joe El Abd stepped inside and managed to offload in the tackle to give that veteran campaigner Gareth Llewellyn a rare touchdown. Strange slotted the conversion and the visitors were 10 points to the good.
Drahm did land two penalties before England prospect Shaun Perry gave the perfect demonstration of a box kick to set up Bristol’s second try, touched down in the corner by his wing, Lee Robinson.
Shaken and stirred, the Warriors finally managed to sustain an attack long enough for lock Phil Murphy to crash over from close range four minutes from half-time, but Drahm was unable to convert, leaving Bristol to reflect on their first-half efforts with an 18-11 lead.
Soon after the break, Strange, the Premiership’s second highest point-scorer last season, missed two kickable penalties. But Worcester lost Chris Horsman, their Wales prop, to the sin-bin for holding down a Bristol jumper at a lineout.
The numbers were evened up when Drahm shunned a straightforward penalty and went for a catch and drive. Bristol twice collapsed Worcester’s driving maul before Mr Pearson lost his patience and yellow-carded Matt Salter.
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Worcester extended their generosity by gifting Strange two more penalties before Bristol conjured up two scintillating tries. El Abd started the first and the ball passed through six pairs of hands before Robinson claimed his second try.
Perry scored the second, racing 30 metres down the touchline to confirm the visitors’ superiority.
And as if that wasn’t enough, Drahm completed a miserable afternoon by passing straight to Craig Morgan, who scampered over unopposed.
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Star Man: Shaun Perry (Bristol)
Worcester: L Best; T Delport, D Rasmussen (M Tucker 73min), S Whatling (T Lombard 59min), M Garvey; S Drahm, N Runciman (M Powell 28min); L Fortey, C Fortey (B Gotting 54min), C Horsman (T Taumoepeau 54min), R Blaze (C Gillies 55min), P Murphy, P Sanderson (capt), K Horstmann, T Harding (G Quinnell 71min).
Bristol: J Taumalolo (W Pozzebon 76min); L Robinson, R Higgitt, A Reay, C Morgan (D Gray 76min); J Strange, S Perry; D Hilton (A Clarke 71min), M Regan (D Blaney 71min), D Crompton, R Winters, G Llewellyn, M Salter (capt, A To’oala 71min), J El Abd, D Ward-Smith (G Lewis 32).
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Scorers: Worcester: Try: Murphy
Pens: Drahm (2)
Bristol: Tries: Llewellyn, Robinson (2), Morgan, Perry Cons: Strange (2)
Pens: Strange (4)
Yellow cards: Worcester: Horsman (44min) Bristol: Salter (51min)
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Referee: D Pearson (RFU)
Attendance: 9,620