WORCESTER Rugby Club's bid for a major cup upset were scuppered at Sixways as a streetwise London Irish secured a 12-8 victory.

They scored the only try of the Tetley Bitter round four clash but Richard Denhardt's injury time effort had no impact on the outcome.

Irish stand-off Jarrod Cunningham kicked all 12 of his side's points with four penalties, and struck the post with a fifth, but the main difference was that they made fewer handling errors and played to the wet conditions.

"It would have been suicide for us to play our normal game today," said Irish coach Dick Best.

"It has been a long eight days for us with Gloucester, Bristol and then here and the conditions didn't help -- they were a great leveller.

"We would have loved to stretch the play and so would they judging by the way they play the game.

"Worcester would be a welcome addition to the Premiership because of all their facilities and a pretty good team. The higher level they play they will get better and better.

"We were a bit tired and a bit jaded and just did enough without getting to panic stations.

"I wouldn't have liked to be in their position chasing two scores, but we came here with the aim of just being in the draw and probably played like it.

"We didn't create an awful lot but Worcester defended very well."

Worcester's Director of Rugby Les Cusworth felt the only difference was in the tactical kicking from the stand-offs and full-backs.

"If the 15s and 10s had changed sides it would have been a different result," he said.

"They stamped their class on the game and played a limited game under the conditions. Those two were in control for the Irish, they kicked for territory and Connor O'Shea's left boot was very mature.

"Time and time again they played it in our half and then punished us.

"We went far closer to scoring tries but spilled about three chances while they played with a maturity which comes from being in the first division.

"They turned mistakes into points and that's what rugby at the highest level is about."

London Irish have been drawn at home to Leicester in round five, but Worcester's attentions now turn back to the Premiership Two title race and Leeds on Saturday.

But they will face the Tykes without winger Rob Myler who twisted a knee during yesterday's defeat.