WORCESTER Warriors put in a spirited performance to beat last season's Zurich Premiership champions London Wasps 16-13 in a highly competitive friendly at Six-ways last night.

It was a deserved win with the Worcester forwards outstanding.

From the start the Warriors set up a fine platform and showed tremendous character to be awarded a penalty try after six minutes. Fly-half Tommy Hayes, who again caught the eye in almost everything he did, added the conversion.

Wasps' fly-half Mark Van Gisbergen kicked a penalty for the Wasps and it was not until a minute from half-time that the vistors broke free as winger John Rudd dived over to score in the corner. Van Gisbergen added the conversion points.

Worcester lost back row forward Neil Mason to the sin-bin and Van Gisbergen increased the lead with another penalty.

The Warriors then went down to thirteen as open-side Christian Evans was also sent to the sin-bin.

Lock Mark Gabey kept the homeside going forward and as the visitors defence gave away penalties they lost Mark Lock to the sin-bin.

Hayes made them pay as he kicked three more penalties to give the Warriors a fine victory.