JIM Jenner said he left Worcester because time was against his chances of reaching Premiership One without a transfer.

The 28-year-old has agreed a one-year deal with Rob Andrew's Newcastle Falcons ending a spell of three seasons at Sixways.

His departure will have done nothing to help season ticket sales this summer as he has just been voted supporters' player of the year an award he shared with centre Andrew Higgins.

The number eight has been among the top scorers for the past three seasons and was the only ever present during last term's Premiership Two campaign.

He is sad to leave but said he cannot afford to pass up the chance of top-flight rugby at the age of 28.

Jenner played at Bristol and Exeter before Les Cusworth brought him to Sixways but only when he got his head down did his career take off.

Now he joins a club which boasts such star names as England's Jonny Wilkinson and the Samoan powerhouse Va'aiga Tuigamala.

"I can't hang around for ever and I only really came to a high level of rugby late in life," he said.

"I lived in Bournemouth for years and the rugby wasn't such a high standard.

"It was only when I came to Worcester that I started playing seriously and now I want to see how far I can go.

"I'm just thrilled, it has been a long job but Thursday was a very exciting day and I'm really chuffed with it.

"I can't wait to get myself up there and from what Rob Andrew said he's looking to start matches with me."

Professional rugby has been a tortuous career move for many players but Jenner's decision to stall his legal studies now looks vindicated.

"That's completely on the back burner at the moment, there's not enough time in the day," he added.

It is a big upheaval to move to Newcastle after settling well in Worcester but he can always return to law after his rugby is over and Worcester will certainly struggle to find a suitable replacement.

His record at Worcester stands at 32 tries in 66 league games without a single booking -- the figures speak for themselves.