WORCESTER Rugby Club are back in the promotion race after emerging unscathed from a ten-try thriller against Wakefield at Sixways.

They were sometimes brilliant in attack and then leaky in defence but moved into second place in Premiership Two with a 41-32 victory.

Worcester had beaten Wakefield 84-15 back in the autumn, but only six of the Wakefield side started both games and how it showed.

They were sharp, incisive and inventive and gave Worcester a real fright to produce one of the most entertaining games Sixways fans have seen this season.

Worcester scored tries in the opening and dying minutes but in between the lead changed hands six times and Wakefield even had a penalty which could have put them in front with just two minutes left.

"Wakefield are a very much improved side and played with a lot of enterprise, I take my hat off to them," said Worcester's director of rugby Les Cusworth.

"They'll surprise a few sides and do some damage to some of the league's favourites.

"Our lads could have buckled under that, they asked a lot of questions of us but our defence needs to tighten up.

"People feel that we're just going to roll over sides but that just doesn't happen.

"There were 73 points of rugby and we've got to enjoy the game of rugby even though we've got our minds on other things."

Worcester's crucial victory moved them into second place following Rotherham's 17-16 victory at Leeds on Friday night.

"That was a good result for us but the kicks made the difference again," added Cusworth.

"Leeds' fly-half Jon Benson missed three penalties and three drop-goals, but kicked everything against us.

"We've got to play better, we know that, but to say anything more against our players today would be unfair on Wakefield."

Worcester number eight Jim Jenner said: "It's great news that we're back in control and can win the league in our own right."