WORCESTER went down 19-15 to Midlands rivals Moseley under the Sixways floodlights last night.

The home side could have snatched victory in the last five minutes, but fullback Duncan Hughes was judged to have touched the corner flag a fraction of a second before grounding the ball.

The game was officially billed as a second team fixture but both sides were full of first team squad players.

In fact Worcester started the match with 13 players who had appeared in the league this season -- the exceptions being Under 21 flanker Simon Dawes and centre Mark Eastwood.

Moseley, likewise, fielded a side packed with league experience and they penned Worcester back in their own half before opening the scoring with a try from full back Alan Sheldon.

Worcester did not reach the Moseley '22' until mid-way through the half but when they did, wing Shaun Wouf went over for a try.

Moseley struck back almost immediately through wing Geoff Gregory only for Hughes to race over in the corner which stand-off David Pears, converted. The same player then landed a penalty and Worcester found themselves in front 15-12 despite being off he pace for much of the first-half.

Early in the second-half only a tremendous covering tackle by Matt Walker stopped Moseley going over for their third try. But seven minutes into the half number eight Pete Buxton picked up from the base of the scrum and went over without being touched.

Worcester had the better of the closing stages and several times came close to snatching victory but it was Moseley who held on for victory.